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
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