On March 5, at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Sestri Levante, Genoa), there was a ceremony to mark the cutting of the first sheeting for the sixth Fremm vessel.
This is a further step in the European Multi Mission Frigate construction program, the most important joint initiative to date among European industries in the Naval Defence field.
The ship, which will be delivered in the first months of 2017, will be 144 metres long, 19.7 metres wide with a displacement at full load of approximately 6,500 tons.
Capable of reaching speeds of over 27 knots, the vessel will have an availability of 200 berths and a crew of 145.
This is a highly flexible vessel, able to operate in a wide range of scenarios, especially in patrolling and safeguarding the Mediterranean area.
Prime contractor for Italy on the Fremm program is Orizzonte Sistemi Navali. Included within the current framework of the program for ltaly are six vessels and an option for a further four which has still to be exercised.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 7, 2013; Image: Thales