Italy signs €1.5 billion contract for two new FREMM frigates

Italy has signed a €1.5 billion contract with local defense champions Fincantieri and Leonardo for two new, upgraded FREMM frigates.

Dubbed FREMM EVO, the platforms will offer enhanced capabilities for defeating drone attacks and operating sub-sea, surface and aerial unmanned systems, among other improvements, the firms said.

”The evolution of the FREMM capitalizes on a project that has proven, over the years, its full compliance with the requirements of the Italian Navy and has gained widespread international consensus,” said Italian Navy Chief Adm. Enrico Credendino.

The two new vessels, which will join 10 already ordered by the Italian Navy, will be delivered in 2029 and 2030 by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), the joint venture controlled by Fincantieri, which holds a 51% share in partnership alongside Leonardo, which holds a 49% share.

Launched as a joint Italian-French program, the FREMM frigate has been purchased by the U.S. Navy, which has renamed the vessel the Constellation class.

The two new EVO vessels will offer the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of earlier Italian FREMM versions and a series of upgrades to the ship’s cyber warfare capabilities, its air conditioning and electrical distribution system.

The combat management system has been upgraded, while fixed-face X-C dual-band radars will be adopted. Some of the technology upgrades are being adopted from Italy’s PPA navy vessels.

The contract, which was approved by Italy’s parliament in February, is being managed by European defense contracting agency OCCAR, the firms said.

Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.

意大利与当地国防巨头芬坎蒂尼集团和莱昂纳多集团签署了一份价值 15 亿欧元的合同，建造两艘新的、升级版的 FREMM 护卫舰。

这两家公司表示，这些平台被命名为 FREMM EVO，除其他改进外，还将增强抵御无人机攻击和操作水下、水面和空中无人系统的能力。

意大利海军司令恩里科·克雷登迪诺海军上将表示：“FREMM 的发展得益于一个多年来已证明完全符合意大利海军要求并已获得广泛国际共识的项目。”

这两艘新舰艇将加入意大利海军已订购的 10 艘舰艇的行列，分别于 2029 年和 2030 年由 Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) 交付。OSN 是由 Fincantieri 控股的合资企业，Fincantieri 持有 51% 的股份，Leonardo 持有 49% 的股份。

FREMM护卫舰最初是意大利和法国联合研制的项目，后来被美国海军收购，并被重新命名为星座级护卫舰。

这两艘新的 EVO 舰艇将具备早期意大利 FREMM 舰艇的反潜作战能力，并对舰艇的网络战能力、空调和配电系统进行一系列升级。

作战管理系统已升级，并将采用固定式XC双波段雷达。部分技术升级借鉴自意大利PPA海军舰艇。

两家公司表示，该合同已于2月份获得意大利议会批准，并由欧洲防务承包机构OCCAR负责管理。

汤姆·金顿是《防务新闻》驻意大利记者。