As part of the Italian Navy’s renewal plan, another Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship has been ordered for its fleet.
OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement) has ordered the consortium (Raggruppamento Temporaneo di Impresa – RTI) consisting of Fincantieri, agent, and Finmeccanica, through its subsidiary Selex ES, one more patrol vessel activating the related contract option and merging the production in an immediately operational single-step transition.
Hence, the number of patrol vessels ordered to RTI rises to seven. The six previous ones were assigned in May, and other three units still are in option. The delivery of the first patrol vessel is expected in 2021. The delivery of the following patrol vessels is planned for 2022, 2023, 2024 (two units), 2025 and 2026.
In addition to the seven PPAs, the construction of one logistic support unit (LSS or Logistic Support Ship) and one multipurpose amphibious unit (LHD or Landing Helicopter Dock) are also planned. Both are already contractualised, the latter one through a public contract with the Italian Ministry of Defence.
The contracts assigned to RTI now reach a total amount of about 5.4 billion euros, of which Fincantieri’s share amounts to 3.6 billion euros and the one of Finmeccanica to 1.8 billion euros.
Fincantieri will build the vessels at its shipyards as well as provide support over the lifecycle of the vessels in the first ten years.
Image: Fincantieri