The RN Saetta was an Italian destroyer that was laid down at the Cantieri del Tirreno shipyard in Sestri Levante on 27 May 1929. Launched on 17 January 1932, she was commissioned on 10 May. She belonged to the Dardo class, an enlarged variant of the Turbine class, which provided greater range and enabled her to escort Zara-class cruisers and various battleships.

From 1936 onwards, the RN Saetta participated in the Spanish Civil War and, as early as 11 August 1937, sank the Republican tanker SS Campeador. Following Italy's entry into the Second World War, the destroyer joined the 1st and 2nd Squadrons of the Italian Navy, which took part in the Battle of Punta Stilo on 9 July 1940. On 27 November, the Saetta joined Admiral Inigo Campioni’s task force, with which it took part in the Battle of Cape Teulada. In early 1941, the ship was modernised, with the 13.2 mm machine guns and 120 mm searchlights being replaced by 20 mm Breda autocannons. Between late 1941 and early 1942, the 40 mm guns were replaced with a rangefinder and a one more 20 mm gun. On 14 June 1942, the destroyer took part in the Battle of mid-June, providing smoke cover for the cruiser Trento. Despite the destroyer's best efforts, the Trento was torpedoed again and sank. Also in June, the Saetta escorted convoys again, one of which was attacked by a British submarine. The destroyer attempted to sink the submarine unsuccessfully. The convoy was subsequently attacked by British torpedo bombers, one of which was shot down by the destroyer.

During the modernisation of the destroyer in late 1942 and early 1943, the stern torpedo tube was removed and two 37 mm guns and three 20 mm guns were installed. On 3 February 1943, the destroyer set out to escort the tanker Thorsheimer to Naples, accompanied by the torpedo boats Clio, Monsone, Uragano and Sirio. Near the coast of Tunisia, Uragano struck a mine and Saetta headed to its aid. Just ten minutes later, at 09:48, the Saetta herself struck a mine, breaking in two and sinking within a minute, with the loss of 170 crew members.

The RN Saetta was introduced in Update 2.55 "Ninth Wave", in an early 1942 configuration. In many ways, the ship is a typical early destroyer, with light main-calibre armament and low survivability. However, she has decent speed and excellent anti-aircraft capabilities.