Construction of the first FREMM EVO frigate being produced by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy, the future ITS Nave Bersagliere, is claimed to be ahead of schedule.
The first steel was cut for two new ships for the Marina Militare at the firm’s Riva Trigoso shipyard in Genoa three months ago.
The programme is being managed by joint arms group OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement, or Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation).
In July last year it signed a deal to build the vessels with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture owned by Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%).
In a recent press statement OCCAR said a ceremony marking the completion of the first full block – a reported five months ahead of the contractual schedule — was held at the shipyard last Tuesday (July 8), attended by dignitaries from OCCAR, the Italian Navy and the defence industry.
The two new FREMM EVO frigates destined for the Italian Navy are scheduled to be delivered in 2029 and 2030, respectively. They will be 145 metres long, capable of 35 knots, have a 6,800-nautical-mile range, and be armed with anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, decoy launchers, and naval weapon turrets.
The new ships will boast anti-drone capabilities and the ability to operationally manage their own uncrewed systems above, on, and below the water. They can accommodate up to two helicopters each, or a mix of rotary-wing assets and UxVs.
Other new additions to the vessels include enhanced, cyber-resilient ship and SADOC 4 combat management systems; air conditioning and electrical distribution system upgrades; and upgraded sensors with enhanced capabilities against ballistic missiles.
As per OCCAR’s statement there will also be additional improvements to electronic warfare systems, artillery and missile systems, the sonar suite, the communication system, and tactical data links.
So far, 17 FREMM frigates have been delivered: nine to Italy (of 12 planned) and all eight to France. The tenth Italian FREMM, the future ITS Nave Emilio Bianchi, is set to be delivered by the end of this month.
- You can read more details on the OCCAR website