European Patrol Corvette contract could be signed in 2025
EPC project team meeting at Palazzo Marina, Rome. (Photo: Italian Navy)
Around 40 companies across Europe are already involved in the European Patrol Corvette project.
According to a release from the Italian Navy, a contract for constructing the future European Patrol Corvette (EPC) could be signed as soon as 2025.
If a deal is indeed signed in 2025, work on the lead ship could begin in 2026 with a view to deliveries starting in 2030.
The news came after representatives of the Italian Navy, Spain, France, Greece, and the European Defence Agency attended an EPC project team meeting on 8 March in Rome.
The Italian Navy said the meeting to draft common requirements was ‘fundamental’ to further developing the EPC project’s underlying development document.
Across Europe, more than 30 ship classes weigh between 500t to 4000t; the EPC project aims to overcome this market fragmentation with a common vessel.
Denmark and Norway are signed up to the project as co-financiers, and Portugal holds observer status.
In December 2021, the Naviris JV and Navantia submitted an offer for the European Defence Fund (EDF) Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette (MMPC). MMPC is the name of the EDF tender for the EPC.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
European Patrol Corvette (EPC)/Buques de Protección Marítima (BPM) [Spain]
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear]()
Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear
The Canadian government remains tight-lipped on the timeline and funding required for the next steps of its Canadian Submarine Patrol Project, which should offer improved capabilities for the country’s navy.
-
![Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection]()
Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection
With Australia’s selection of the Mogami-class for Project Sea 3000, Mitsubishi is investigating local production in the next decade as potential export opportunities emerge.
-
![Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions]()
Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions
The new sonar is designed to equip uncrewed underwater vessels, with the potential to be used by the Royal Navy for its Atlantic Bastion and Atlantic Net missions.
-
![UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction]()
UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction
The expansion of the Virginia-class submarine construction to UK shores could accelerate the project as US shipbuilders continue to fall short of delivery goals.
