Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has delivered the PPA Domenico Millelire, a multipurpose combat ship, to the Italian Navy.
As disclosed, the delivery ceremony took place in Muggiano (La Spezia) on September 24. The ceremony was attended by Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, Commander in Chief of the Naval Fleet; Chief Inspector Admiral Cristiano Nervi, Director of NAVARM; and Joachim Sucker, Director of the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement (OCCAR).
This vessel is part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the Italian Navy vessels, approved by the Government and Parliament under the aegis of OCCAR.
The PPA is a highly flexible ship designed to perform multiple roles, ranging from patrol missions with sea-rescue capabilities to Civil Protection operations and, in its most heavily equipped configuration, first-line combat missions.
The ship is 143 meters long and can reach speeds of more than 31 knots. It has a crew capacity of 171 personnel and is equipped with a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG) propulsion plant, along with an electric propulsion system. The vessel also has the capability to supply drinking water to shore.
The unit can be fitted with different combat-system configurations, from a “soft” version designed for patrol missions and integrated self-defense capabilities to a “full” configuration providing comprehensive defense capabilities.
The vessel can operate high-speed craft, including RHIBs up to 11 meters long, using lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the stern.
In April this year, Fincantieri signed a contractual integration for the PPA program, aimed at upgrading the PPA-class vessels to the ‘full combat system’ configuration. The activities, coordinated by Fincantieri, will involve both vessels already delivered and units currently under construction and outfitting, ensuring alignment of the entire PPA class with the most advanced operational configuration.
Credit: Fincantieri
Credit: Fincantieri