Italian Navy placed an order for the construction and equipment of one multipurpose amphibious unit (LHD) with Fincantieri and Finmeccanica.
The total value of the contract is over 1.1 billion euros, with Fincantieri’s share amounting to approx. 853 million euros and Finmeccanica’s to about 273 million euros. The delivery of the unit is scheduled in 2022.
The unit will be approx. 200 meters long with a maximum speed of 25 knots. It will be equipped with a combined diesel and gas turbine plant (CODOG) and will be able to accommodate on board over 1,000 people, of whom more than 700 military or civilian transported people.
The contract with the consortium (Raggruppamento Temporaneo di Impresa – RTI), consisting of Fincantieri, agent, and Finmeccanica, through its subsidiary Selex ES, principal, was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by the Central Unit for Naval Armament (NAVARM) of the General Secretariat.
In general, this multi-year programme for the renewal of the Navy’s fleet employs a total funding of 5.4 billion euros and, in addition to the aforementioned LHD unit, foresees the construction of six patrol vessels, with four more in option, and one logistic support unit.
Image: Fincantieri