Fincantieri cuts steel for Italian Navy’s second FREMM EVO frigate

July 23, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has marked another milestone in the Italian Navy’s next-generation frigate program with the steel-cutting ceremony for the second of two FREMM EVO (Evolution) frigates at its Riva Trigoso shipyard.

The ceremony was attended by the Director of the Naval Armaments Directorate (NAVARM), Admiral Chief Inspector Cristiano Nervi, Fincantieri’s General Manager of the Naval Vessels Division, Eugenio Santagata, and Giovanni Sorrentino, CEO of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), the prime contractor for the program.

The FREMM EVO ships represent the latest evolution of the Italian Navy’s FREMM multi-mission frigate fleet and are designed to deliver enhanced operational capabilities through advanced technologies, improved sustainability, and greater readiness.

According to Fincantieri, the new vessels will feature the latest anti-drone capabilities and will incorporate specific solutions to reduce their environmental footprint. They will also be equipped with highly reliable systems supported by robust maintenance plans intended to maximize operational availability throughout their service lives.

The two frigates are being built under a contract awarded in July 2024 by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali as part of the long-running Franco-Italian FREMM cooperation program.

Construction of the first FREMM EVO began with a steel-cutting ceremony in April 2025, followed by its keel laying in July 2025. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in 2029, while the second is expected to join the fleet in 2030.

Compared with the current FREMM configuration, the EVO variant will introduce a range of technological upgrades. The ships will be capable of managing unmanned systems operating above, on, and below the sea surface, reflecting the Italian Navy’s increasing focus on integrating autonomous capabilities into future maritime operations.

Additional improvements will include upgrades to the ship management, electrical distribution, and air-conditioning systems, alongside platform enhancements designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

The combat system will also receive significant enhancements, including the latest SADOC 4 combat management system, fixed-face X-C dual-band radar capable of supporting defense against tactical ballistic missile threats, upgraded electronic warfare systems, and modernized artillery and missile systems. The vessels will also feature advanced sonar, communications equipment, and tactical data links to enhance interoperability with allied naval forces.