First steel cutting of eighth Italian FREMM frigate
Italy has begun building its eighth FREMM frigate under the FREMM joint initiative programme. The first steel cutting ceremony of the eighth Italian FREMM frigate took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Riva Trigoso on 25 February 2015.
This new FREMM frigate will be a general purpose vessel and delivered to the Italian Navy in early 2019. The FREMM joint initiative includes a total of ten frigates for the navy, eight of which have been confirmed with options for two more.
The first FREMM frigate, Bergamini, is currently fully operational by the navy. The second frigate is the anti-submarine warfare configuration Fasan, which is due to finish warranty works by the end of April 2015 and enter full operations. The Margottini, an anti-submarine warfare follow-on ship, will begin its warranty works period soon. The Carabiniere is a second follow-on, due to be delivered by April. The third follow-up ship is the Alpino, which was launched in December 2014. Rizzo, a follow-on ship in general purpose configuration, will launch in February 2016.
The FREMM programme also calls for 11 for the French Navy and one for the Royal Moroccan Navy.
FREMM frigates are heavily armed warships being built under DCNS prime contractorship to carry state-of-the-art weapons and systems including the Herakles multifunction radar, MdCN cruise missiles, Aster anti-air missiles, Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles and MU90 torpedoes.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![South Korean shipbuilders showcase export ambitions amid ongoing KDDX delays]()
South Korean shipbuilders showcase export ambitions amid ongoing KDDX delays
Hyundai and Hanwha recently unveiled advanced frigate and submarine designs while South Korea eyes new export markets and resolves internal rivalries
-
![US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs]()
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
-
![Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy]()
Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy
Under the most recent contract, the US Navy will receive four additional AN/SPY-6(V) radars, increasing the number of radars under contract to 42. The radars are considered key for expanding the navy’s capability for air defence.
-
![Kuwait agrees $2.45 billion deal for Falaj 3 missile boats]()
Kuwait agrees $2.45 billion deal for Falaj 3 missile boats
The deal for Falaj 3 missile boats is one of the largest ship deals for the Middle East and the region’s highest-value naval shipbuilding export to date. It follows the commissioning earlier this year of the first of type for UAE.
