Italy seeks new research vessels
The Italian Navy wants to replace its hydrographic research vessel Ammiraglio Magnaghi. (Photo: Italian Navy)
The Italian Navy is inviting industry bids for feasibility and design studies in a programme for new hydrographic and oceanographic research vessels.
The Directorate for Naval Armaments (NAVARM) in the Italian MoD has issued a tender for research studies into the potential procurement of three hydrographic research vessels.
Bids are due by 28 June, according to a notice on the official EU tenders database.
NAVARM intends to issue a risk-reduction contract in two lots: one for a feasibility study worth an estimated €1.45 million ($1.78 million) and the other for project definition (€1.35 million) with a basic design including platform systems, sensors and communications.
The project envisages the construction of three vessels (one large and two smaller ships) tasked with hydrographic dual-use research activities for the Italian Navy Hydrographic Office in Genoa.
The large vessel (NIOM) will perform hydrographic activities in oceans and is meant to operate widely, including in the Arctic. NIOM replaces the 1,744t hydrographic research vessel Ammiraglio Magnaghi.
The two smaller vessels (NIOC1 and NIOC2) will operate closer to home in the Mediterranean.
Financial backing for the €444 million programme will come from the European Investment Bank, which in July 2020 proposed €220 million support for construction costs until 2027.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies]()
US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies
The programme’s structure as a marketplace will allow multiple companies to compete for ongoing procurements; an approach which could be replicated across the Atlantic.
-
![Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress]()
Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress
Lawmakers question the US Navy’s proposed $2 billion investment in the Trump-class battleship as concerns over cost, technology maturity and operational relevance fuel growing bipartisan scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
-
![Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200]()
Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200
On 24 June 2026, the German Ministry of Defence announced it was cancelling the F126 frigate programme in favour of procuring eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates.
-
![UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition]()
UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
