OSN signs support contract with OCCAR for Italian Navy’s FREMM frigates

Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), the joint venture owned by Fincantieri and Leonardo, has signed a through-life sustainment management (TLSM 2) in-service support contract with Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) for the Italian Navy’s FREMM frigates.

TLSM2 is an in-service support contract for all systems and equipment on FREMM units built and delivered by OSN to the Italian Navy.

This contract represents a major step forward in enhancing the FREMM fleet’s operational readiness and maintenance capabilities. Other industrial partners involved include MBDA, Elettronica, and several small and medium-sized enterprises from Italy’s naval and electronics sectors.

The agreement, signed by Giovanni Sorrentino, CEO of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, and Joachim Sucker, Director of OCCAR, is valued at approximately €764 million (of which around €335 million is optional). Concurrently, sub-contracts are being finalized with Fincantieri and Leonardo, worth approximately €265 million (with about €130 million in options) and €190 million (about €78 million in options), respectively, alongside other sector players including MBDA, Elettronica, and TMDS.

With a duration of five and a half years, TLSM2 introduces an increasingly integrated and innovative model of cooperation among national and foreign industry players and the Italian Navy, aimed at optimizing the efficiency and resilience of the national logistics system.

According to Fincantieri, a key element of the program is the integration of industry and its personnel into the navy’s processes, information systems, and facilities, with a particular focus on improving materials management and preventive maintenance planning.

In this context, the consistent use of the navy’s digital platforms for service execution and reporting and the support of the navy personnel too is also essential.

Engineering support also plays a central role in the program, with the goal of optimizing the overall naval support system, including onshore-based activities or specific structural interventions.

“After-sales support has become as strategically important as shipbuilding itself. It is a key factor in ensuring the long-term operational continuity and effectiveness of naval assets. In this area, a strong synergy has developed between the Italian Navy and Fincantieri—a relationship built on structured, ongoing collaboration and mutual trust, which now stands out as a hallmark of Italy’s industrial system,” Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented.

“This programme illustrates our commitment to designing and supplying high-tech integrated solutions and capabilities for naval applications as well as – together with our partners – ensuring a constant presence in support of the Italian Navy’s operations, leveraging innovative and modern services. Delivering these services guarantees the operator can make the most of the advanced technologies on the field,” Carlo Gualdaroni, Co-General Manager Business of Leonardo and Chairman of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, stated.

“The signing of this contract represents a key milestone in strengthening both the operational capability and long-term sustainability of our naval units. It reflects a shared vision between the Armed Forces and industry, focused on ensuring efficiency, innovation, and continuity in logistical support. This achievement highlights the importance of partnership and the commitment we share in building the future of Defence together,” Giovanni Sorrentino, CEO of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, added.

To remind, the Italian Navy took delivery of the ninth in a series of ten FREMM frigates in April this year.

The FREMM program, which began in 2005 with the first ship delivered in 2012, includes the construction of various frigate types, including general purpose, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and enhanced anti-submarine units. The FREMM EVO ships represent an evolution of the enhanced anti-submarine warfare configuration.

These new vessels, with a length of 144 meters and a width of 19.7 meters, will have a full-load displacement of approximately 6,700 tons. They are designed to achieve speeds exceeding 27 knots and accommodate up to 200 personnel.