7 patrol vessels for the Italian Navy

Within the renewal plan of the Italian Navy’s fleet, whose first tranche started in the past months, OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms) has ordered the consortium (Raggruppamento Temporaneo di Impresa - RTI) consisting of Fincantieri, agent, and Finmeccanica, through its subsidiary Selex ES, principal, one more patrol vessel (PPA or Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship), 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, it is also planned the construction of one logistic support unit (LSS or Logistic Support Ship), and one multipurpose amphibious unit(LHD or Landing Helicopter Dock), both already contractualised, the latter one through a public contract with the Italian Ministry of Defence.

 The contracts assigned to RTI therefore reach a total amount of approx. 5.4 billion euros, of which Fincantieri’s share amounts to approx. 3.6 billion euros and the one of Finmeccanica to approx. 1.8 billion euros. The award of the operative contracts regarding the first tranche of the multi-year program for the renewal of the Navy’s Fleet (known as the "Defence Act") is thus completed.

 The fundamental characteristic common to all three classes of ships is their high level of innovation providing them with a considerable degree of efficiency, flexibility and capability of re-configuration in serving different mission profiles. In particular, these are dual use vessels, meaning that they may be used for both standard military purposes and for civil protection and rescue at sea operations, and they also have a low environmental impact thanks to a state-of-the-art auxiliary propulsion system generating a low level of pollution emissions (electric engines) and biological waste control system.

 The consortium (RTI) was established according to the cooperation agreement in the field of naval vessels construction signed in October 2014 between Fincantieri and Finmeccanica. Pursuant to the agreement, Fincantieri acts as a sole interface to the client, while enhancing Finmeccanica’s products range in the naval field.According to the agreement Finmeccanica is the design authority of the whole combat system.