Italy taps state-owned firms to build two naval destroyers in $4.2 billion deal

ROME — Italy has signed to buy two new naval destroyers that will mark a quantum leap in capabilities for the Italian navy, the ships’ builders have promised.

In a deal brokered by European procurement office OCCAR, Italy signed a €3.7 billion ($4.2 billion) for two so-called DDX destroyers for delivery in 2033 and 2035.

The deal was signed with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), an Italian joint venture in which state shipyard Fincantieri holds 51% and state defense giant Leonardo has the remaining 49%. With a displacement of 13,500 tonnes, the 180-meter DDX destroyers will carry a crew of 251 and have a range of 4,000 nautical miles, Fincantieri said in a statement.

The combat system supplied by Leonardo will feature “advanced digitalization”, while the vessel will also include a “DC power sub-network with its associated energy storage system, an innovative stabilization system integrated with the steering system, new algorithms and methodologies for calculating thermal and electrical balances, and further digital developments of the Ship Management System,” the firms said.

The vessels will feature Leonardo’s SADOC 5 command-and-control system, digital S-band AESA radar and MBDA weapon systems, the firms added.

After ordering FREMM-class frigates, PPA multimission ships, a new landing helicopter dock, new submarines and logistics vessels, the DDX order marks the continuation of a fleet renewal splurge for the Italian navy.

The destroyers will sail alongside but ultimately replace the Italian navy’s two Horizon vessels, a navy spokesman told Defense News.

Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.

罗马——意大利已签署协议购买两艘新型海军驱逐舰，造船商承诺，这将标志着意大利海军能力的质的飞跃。

在欧洲采购办公室 OCCAR 的斡旋下，意大利签署了一份价值 37 亿欧元（42 亿美元）的合同，订购两艘所谓的 DDX 型驱逐舰，分别于 2033 年和 2035 年交付。

该协议是与意大利合资企业Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN)签署的，OSN由意大利国家造船厂芬坎蒂尼(Fincantieri)控股51%，意大利国防巨头莱昂纳多(Leonardo)控股49%。芬坎蒂尼在一份声明中表示，这些排水量为13500吨、长180米的DDX型驱逐舰将配备251名船员，航程为4000海里。

莱昂纳多公司表示，该舰艇将配备“先进的数字化”作战系统，同时还将配备“直流电源子网络及其相关的储能系统、与操舵系统集成的创新型稳定系统、用于计算热平衡和电平衡的新算法和方法，以及船舶管理系统的进一步数字化开发”。

两家公司补充说，这些舰艇将配备莱昂纳多公司的 SADOC 5 指挥控制系统、数字 S 波段 AESA 雷达和 MBDA 武器系统。

继订购 FREMM 级护卫舰、PPA 多用途舰艇、新型两栖攻击舰、新型潜艇和后勤舰艇之后，DDX 的订单标志着意大利海军舰队更新大举投入的延续。

海军发言人告诉《防务新闻》，这些驱逐舰将与意大利海军的两艘“地平线”级巡洋舰并肩航行，但最终将取代它们。

汤姆·金顿是《防务新闻》驻意大利记者。