New Italian Navy uncrewed systems receive initial funding
AWHero, a 200kg class rotary UAS used by Leonardo for Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming trials, has been named as a contender for the Italian Navy's Embarked UAS project. (Photo: Leonardo)
The Italian Navy has been notable for its significant lack of investment in uncrewed systems and has no operational capabilities in this domain, but the recent three-year Defence Programmes document has initiated two new projects.
The early introduction of new indigenously developed uncrewed systems for the Italian Navy look unlikely to occur any time soon, as the Defence Programmes document (DPP) has only allocated a small amount of early funding for 2023–25, with larger amounts reserved for later years.
The first new project will be a new autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) which will provide both an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability and an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability.
Under the DPP only €6 million (US$6.4 million) of funding has been allocated for AUV system development, with just €3 million each year for 2023 and 2024. The project, however, will last more than 13
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is “on track” for keel laying in late 2026]()
First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is “on track” for keel laying in late 2026
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Arpatuuq construction is in the block manufacturing phase. Once built, it will be the largest vessel in the Coast Guard’s inventory.
-
![US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship]()
US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship
NAVSEA plans to select up to three suppliers for the concept design phase of the programme in Q2 FY2026.
-
![South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch]()
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.
-
![ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth]()
ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth
The company could be looking to collaborate with other Asian nations as well as countries further afield as it pushes ahead with its shipyard expansion plans.
-
![US Navy approaches the award of a follow-on contract for Aegis production]()
US Navy approaches the award of a follow-on contract for Aegis production
Naval Sea Systems Command intends to grant a production agreement for the Aegis Weapon System covering the FY2026-FY2030 period.
