Italy awards contract for ninth and tenth Fremm frigates
The Italian defense ministry has exercised options for the Italian Navy's ninth and tenth Fremm frigates with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, the company announced on 16 April.
Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a Fincantieri-Finmeccanica joint venture, is the prime contractor for Italy in the Italian-French Fremm multi-mission European frigates programme. With the awarding of the $825.21 million contract option, Italy has completed its order of ten vessels for the navy under the programme.
The new Fremm frigates will be delivered after 2020 and will replace the Lupo and Maestrale class frigates that were built by Fincantieri in the 1970s. They have a length of 144m, beam of 19.7m, displacement of approximately 6,700 tonnes, crew capacity of 200 and a maximum speed of 27 knots.
Mauro Moretti, general manager and CEO, Finmeccanica, said: 'The Italian and French programme for the new Fremm (multi-purpose) European multi mission frigates is the most important European military naval programme ever implemented. The vessel-based systems produced by Finmeccanica are capable of managing a range of continuously developing operational scenarios with cutting edge technology.'
More from Naval Warfare
-
UK Royal Navy orders more Remus UUVs
HII’s Remus UUVs can be used for mine-countermeasure, harbour security and reconnaissance operations, as well as hydrographic surveys, environmental monitoring and debris field mapping.
-
How AI tools can reduce fuel usage for maritime platforms
The broader use of algorithms to collect and analyse vessel data can better support navy chiefs and staff.
-
South Korea approves more frigates plus SM-3 missiles
South Korea’s six FFX Batch IV frigates are expected to be delivered by 2032 and will full retirement of remaining Pohang-class corvettes and Ulsan-class frigates, and possibly Gwanggaeto-class destroyers.
-
China’s third aircraft carrier commences sea trials
Fujian, China’s latest aircraft carrier, has embarked on its inaugural sea trials following delays to its construction but featuring technological advancements that have marked a leap in the maritime capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
-
Northrop Grumman’s Manta Ray completes testing
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation was selected in 2021 to build and test and Manta Ray unmanned underwater vehicle (UUVs). A second platform has been under development by PacMar Technologies.