Italian Navy secures funds for two new FREMMs amid push for a bigger fleet
Italy plans to procure two more FREMM frigates under its 2023-25 military plans. (Photo: US DoD)
Italy plans to procure two more FREMM frigates as part of a push to strengthen its naval capabilities amid an increased Russian presence in the Mediterranean.
In an appearance at the Italian Senate’s Foreign and Defence Affairs Committee on 23 March, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Adm Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, confirmed that two additional FREMMs will be budgeted in the next multi-year planning document (DPP 2023-2025).
Today, the Italian Navy operates a fleet of eight FREMM frigates, split equally between anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and general purpose (GP) configurations.
Italy ordered ten frigates, but the ninth and tenth FREMM vessels, Bianchi and Schergat, were sold to Egypt in 2020 as part of a $1.3 billion deal.
Works on the two hulls that will replace the ships
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks]()
Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks
Ukraine’s combat-proven Magura uncrewed surface vessel is attracting Gulf state interest as the Iran war exposes gaps in layered maritime air defence, raising questions about whether low-cost attritable systems can gain a foothold in a procurement culture historically drawn to high-end Western platforms.
-
![Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win]()
Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win
Naval Group has secured a contract to supply four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention frigates to the Royal Swedish Navy, extending the French naval industry’s reach into Northern Europe and showing why speed to capability has become the defining criterion in today’s defence procurement contests.
-
![SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations]()
SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations
US Naval Special Warfare Command is assessing the feasibility of rapidly producing expendable mid-sized USVs in theatre to support SOF and maritime security missions.
-
![SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system]()
SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system
MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.
