Italian Navy Acquires Two FREMM EVO Frigates for €1.5B

Italy's Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) has signed a €1.5 billion contract with European Organisation for Joint Armament Production (OCCAR) agency to build two next-generation FREMM EVO frigates for the Italian Navy.

OSN is a joint venture owned by Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%).

The Italian Navy’s new FREMM frigates of the EVOLUTION version will have anti-drone capabilities, unmanned system management, and anti-submarine warfare features. They will be built at Fincantieri's shipyard, with delivery expected in 2029 and 2030.

All the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities and features of the FREMM ASW units currently in service will also be available in the new vessels. The two new units will be built at Fincantieri’s Integrated shipyard in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with the first “FREMM EVO” due to be delivered in 2029, while the second unit will be available in 2030.

More specifically, the main modernizations and technological upgrades will concern the Ship Management System Cyber-resilient, the air-conditioning and electrical distribution system, and the implementation of specific solutions aimed at improving the ship’s green footprint for the Platform System. The Combat System will be upgraded with the modern Combat Management System SADOC 4 Cyber-resilient, radar sensors (specifically with fixed-face X-C dual-band radars) able to support defense against TBM threats, Electronic Warfare, Artillery and Missile Systems, theSonar Suite, Communication System and tactical data links.

In the coming weeks, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali will finalize sub-contracts with Fincantieri and Leonardo, with a value respectively of around €690 million and approximately €415 million.