[2] It was named for the decisive Battle of Vittorio Veneto which ended World War I on the Italian front.

[2] Originally the ship carried armament similar to the Andrea Dorias comprising a Terrier anti-aircraft system situated in front of the bridge, which could also be used to launch ASROC antisubmarine rockets.

[2] The secondary armament comprised eight dual-purpose 76 mm (3 in) guns[2] in a ring around the superstructure, similar to the Andrea Dorias.

Vittorio Veneto was propelled by two steam turbines providing 73,000 shp (54,000 kW), for a maximum speed of 30.5 knots (56.5 km/h; 35.1 mph).

Although the Andrea Doria-class helicopter cruisers proved a useful addition to the fleet, it was judged that a larger ship was necessary.

Such a vessel would be able operate a larger airwing and provide helicopter support in bad weather conditions.

Vittorio Veneto remained the flagship of the Italian Navy until the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi was commissioned in 1985.