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Navy

Near Future Submarine

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The construction of the third new generation submarine related to the U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) program for the Italian Navy and assigned to Fincantieri has received parliamentary approval and will now follow the standard administrative procedure.

U212NFS Near Future Submarine
The construction of the third vessel of the program assigned to the Group has been approved by the Parliament

The programme, which includes two vessels contracted in 2021, as well as the creation of a Training Center, is led by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, the international organization for joint armament cooperation).

Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri, commented: «Within the NFS program we are both design authority and prime contractor. The prosecution of the program acknowledges Fincantieri’s technological and managerial leadership, in full continuity with the pillars set out in our business plan. The submarine is a unique strategic and industrial asset, combining shipbuilding and its highest standards with the underwater, a sector in which crucial games will be played also thanks to our vision of the future».

The first two vessels will be delivered in 2027 and 2029, with the steel cutting of the second unit scheduled for June 6th.

The U212NFS submarines will be highly innovative, with significant design modifications which will all be developed independently by Fincantieri in accordance with the requirements of the Navy. The program responds to the need to secure adequate underwater spatial surveillance and control capacity, considering the future complex scenarios of underwater operations and that the operational lifetime of the 4 «Sauro» class submarines, currently in service, is drawing near. It also aims at upholding and further developing Fincantieri’s acquired strategic and innovative industrial know-how, as well as consolidating the technological lead attained by the company and its supply chain, major industries, and small and medium-sized enterprises of the sector, enhancing the presence on board of technologically advanced component parts developed by Italian industries.

The submarines carry out many different tasks for the benefit of the community on a daily basis, preserving national interests and collective defense within the framework of the most important alliances in which the Italy participates, NATO and the EU. They range from purely military missions to operations pertaining to freedom of navigation, anti-piracy, keeping the energy supply routes safe (due to the presence of seabed resources or underwater infrastructure), observance of international law, fighting terrorism, defending external borders, and safeguarding maritime infrastructure, including essential offshore and underwater infrastructure, not least preserving marine ecosystems.

Navy

Jacques Chevallier

On the night of March 18 to 19, 2023, the Jacques Chevallier, the first of the four force supply vessels (BRF) of the «Logistics Fleet» program (FlotLog) intended for the French Navy, left its construction port of Saint-Nazaire in order to begin a new phase of sea trials before heading to her future home port in Toulon.

FS Jacques Chevallier (A725)
The first force supply ship (BRF) of the FlotLog program leaves Saint-Nazaire to reach its home port

After being put on hold in December 2021, being floated in April 2022 and the ceremony for the first raising of colors on March 3, 2023, the BRF Jacques Chevallier has taken a new step by leaving its builder port before being received by the Organization Joint Armaments Cooperation (OCCAR), on behalf of the General Armaments Directorate (DGA), and its delivery to the French Navy in the summer of 2023.

The conduct of the ship will now be entrusted to a crew from the French Navy. In the short term, the ship will sail to Toulon, its future home port, where it will arrive at the end of March. This sea trial campaign is dedicated to the refueling system at sea (supplied by Chantiers de l’Atlantique), and the combat and communication system (supplied by Naval Group).

The construction of the second BRF, Jacques Stosskopf, will begin in Saint-Nazaire in about a year, for delivery in 2025.

Laurent Castaing, Managing Director of Chantiers de l’Atlantique declared: «We are delighted with the excellent result obtained thanks to the good cooperation of our teams and those of our various partners. We will now continue this quality collaboration until the delivery of the ship in July in Toulon».

Laurent Castaing praised the excellent result obtained thanks to the commitment of the teams and the good collaboration between the manufacturers, the DGA and the OCCAR.

«The FlotLog program is a great story of cooperation between European partners but also between industrial partners. The departure of the ship for its home port is an important milestone for the DGA, the French Navy, the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Naval Group and all our industrial partners. We are proud to be part of this European program and remain fully committed to providing the DGA and the French Navy with the best expertise in the civil and military sectors in the construction of high-tonnage vessels», underlines Olivier de la Bourdonnaye, Buildings Director of surface of Naval Group.

 

A multi-purpose vessel resulting from a strategic European industrial partnership serving the French Navy

As a reminder, the BRF Jacques Chevallier is the first of a series of four ships intended for the French Navy, the order of which was notified in January 2019 to the Momentary Group of Companies formed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group. The FlotLog program is part of a Franco-Italian cooperation led by OCCAR on behalf of the DGA and its Italian counterpart Naval Weaponry Direction (NAVARM).

Through their alliance, Naval Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique combine and leverage their skills in order to offer the best of each of the two companies in the construction of ships of more than 8,000 tons, in the service of the French Navy.

Equipped with a self-defence capability, the new series of BRFs is intended to replace the current tankers, with increased capacities and modern equipment in order to fully ensure the specific support missions of the carrier battle group, formed around the Charles de Gaulle aircraft, as well as any French or allied naval action group.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique is responsible for all of the design and construction of the four vessels and is responsible for the integration and assembly of on-board systems. Naval Group is responsible for designing, developing and integrating the ship’s military systems, including the combat system, the systems contributing to the reception capacity of aircraft and the loading of ammunition and the centralized control system for the installations of the platform. The combat system of the four buildings allows the ships to deploy independently to their area of operations, to provide protection against close threats and to lead the fight against asymmetric threats.

 

Technical characteristics

Full load displacement 31,000 tonnes
Overall length 194 m/636.5 feet
Overall width 27.6 m/90.5 feet
Accommodation 190 people, including 130 crew members, an aeronautical detachment of 10 people, and 50 passengers
Fuel carrying capacity 13,000 m3
Total installed power 24 MW

 

Navy

2nd Logistic Support Ship

The LSS Programme achieved an important milestone with the keel laying ceremony of the bow section of the 2nd Logistic Support Ship (LSS) for France, ordered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique to Fincantieri under the LSS programme.

LSS Jacques Stosskopf (A726)
Keel laying event in Castellammare di Stabia shipyard (Credit: OCCAR)

The event took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia (Next to Naples) on 06 December 2022, 22 months after the keel laying of her elder sister, the bow section of LSS «Jacques Chevallier» (A725). This important step officially marks the laying of the First Ship Hull Blocks for the bow section on the slipway in the Fincantieri construction yard.

After its completion, the bow section will be transferred to Saint-Nazaire for the final assembly of the LSS «Jacques Stosskopf» (A726). The second and third French LSS are to be built under the auspices of the French-Italian cooperation and the contractual framework of OCCAR for a delivery scheduled in 2025.

The Franco-Italian Logistic Support Ship (LSS) Programme is led by OCCAR on behalf of DGA, the French Armament General Directorate, and its Italian counterpart, Naval Weaponry Direction (NAVARM). The LSS programme consists of the development and the production of six ships (two for Italy and four for France) along with in-service support, with a third-one for the Italian Navy as on option.

LSS Jacques Chevallier (A725)
LSS «Jacques Chevallier» (A725) (Credit: Chantiers de l’Atlantiq)

 

LSS Technical Information

Overall Length 165 m/541.3 feet
Width 24 m/78.7 feet
Displacement 27.200 tonnes
Maximum Speed 19.8 knots/22.8 mph/36.7 km/h
Crew 167 people
Accommodation up to 235people
Range 7000 NM/8,055 miles/12,964 km

 

Navy

Marcantonio Colonna

On November 26, 2022 the technical launch of the Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship (PPA – Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) «Marcantonio Colonna» (P433) took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genova). The vessel is the fifth of seven vessels to be built at the Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano with deliveries expected until 2026.

Marcantonio Colonna (P434)
The fifth PPA «Marcantonio Colonna» launched in Riva Trigoso

The PPAs are part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the Italian Navy vessels, approved by the Government and Parliament and started in May 2015 («Naval Act») under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).

At the ceremony, among others, the Undersecretary of Defence, Matteo Perego di Cremnago, the Governor of Liguria Region, Giovanni Toti, the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral OF-9 Enrico Credendino, OCCAR-EA Director, Admiral Matteo Bisceglia, were received by General Claudio Graziano and Pierroberto Folgiero, respectively Chairman and CEO of Fincantieri, as well as the General Manager Naval Vessels Division of the Group, Dario Deste.

Marcantonio Colonna, who lived between 1535 and 1584, was one of the most illustrious land and sea captains of the 16th century, also protagonist of the battle of Lepanto in 1571. The godmother of the launch was Jeanne Colonna Pavoncelli, descendant of the distinguished family.

The Undersecretary of Defence, Matteo Perego di Cremnago, said: «It is a very important day for this extraordinary territory and for Italy, for the national industry and for small and medium-sized companies, both in terms of employment and investments. Thanks to Fincantieri and all the related companies for the great technical and innovative value that today allow the Defense-system of the Country to take another step forward in the process of modernizing the operational lines of the Navy’s vessels». The Undersecretary added: «Strategic-wise, taking such steps forward for national defense and security means taking steps forward for our Country and for our citizens».

 

Vessel’s characteristics: PPA – Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship

The multipurpose offshore patrol vessel is a highly flexible ship, fit to serve multiple functions, ranging from patrol with sea rescue capacity to Civil Protection operations and, in its most highly equipped version, first line fighting vessel. For the seven vessels of the program there will be indeed different configurations of combat system: starting from a «soft» version for the patrol task, integrated for self-defence ability, to a «full» one, which means equipped for a complete defence ability. The patrol ship is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to 11 meters/36 feet long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.

  • 143 meters/469 feet long overall
  • Speed up to 32 knots/37 mph/59 km/h according to vessel configuration and operational conditions
  • Approximately 135 crew members and accommodation capacity up to 181 beds
  • Combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, i.e. with electric motors for low speeds
  • Capacity to supply drinking water, electricity and health support to land
Navy

FREDA Frigate «Lorraine»

On 16 November 2022, the last of the 8 French FREMM frigates ordered by OCCAR for France was accepted by the organisation and delivered to the French Navy with the agreement of the DGA. This event follows the recent visit of the Director of OCCAR to the Naval Group Lorient shipyard and his visit on board the frigate on 11 October 2022 where the aims of the delivery schedule objective were strongly reminded.

FS Lorraine (D657)
The FREMM FOS1 FREDA Frigate «Lorraine» delivered to the French Navy

The ceremony took place in Toulon on board the ship in the presence of the Admiral commanding the French naval action force (ALFAN) and the Engineer General of Armaments directing the DGA’s naval armament programmes. This event takes place 10 years after the delivery of the FREMM Aquitaine, the first of the French series, almost to the day.

During his speech, on behalf of the Director of OCCAR, the Deputy FREMM Programme Manager recalled the pride and honour of the Organisation to proceed with the contractual acceptance of the FREMM Lorraine. He also highlighted the collective work performed by all the industrial and state teams who had made it possible to meet the long-standing deadline. He recalled the excellence of the cooperation with Italy on this programme and the commonalities developed in close cooperation.

This FREMM ship, which is also the second of the FREDA class with enhanced anti-air capabilities, also offers new operational capabilities. These include the integration of the new SYRACUSE 4 communication system, the integration of a new STIR radar and optronic fire control system and new functionalities offered by the Combat System upgrade. These new increments have been progressively integrated into the contract by OCCAR in consultation with industry, the DGA and the French Navy.

The FREMM programme remains the most ambitious and largest European naval initiative led by OCCAR. With a total of 18 frigates (eight ordered by France and ten by Italy), the French FREMM frigates will form the backbone of the French surface fleet.

The FREDA frigates are equipped with the most advanced weapon systems, such as Heracles Multifunction Radar, ASTER 15/30 Missiles, Exocet MM40 Missiles, MU 90 Torpedoes and increased performance of the combat system and communications.

Navy

Jacques Chevallier

On 29 April, the first of the four force replenishment vessels BRF (Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force in French) of the FlotLog program was launched in Saint-Nazaire.

Jacques Chevallier (A725)
Launching of the Jacques Chevallier (A725), first Replenishment Vessel for the French Navy

The Bâtiment Ravitailleur de Forces Jacques Chevallier (A725) is the first of a series of four ships intended for the French Navy. The contract was awarded in January 2019 to Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group. The four vessels will be delivered successively until 2029.

The FlotLog program is part of a Franco-Italian cooperation led by Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement (OCCAR) on behalf of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) and its Italian counterpart Naval Armament Directorate (NAVARM), within the Logistic Support Ship (LSS) program.

The BRF Jacques Chevallier (A725) was launched on 29 April in Saint-Nazaire. The ceremony took place in the presence of Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Pierre Éric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, Matteo Bisceglia, Director of OCCAR, François Pintart, Director of Operations of DGA and Admiral Xavier Baudouard, Commander of the French Naval Action Force.

Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique said: «Our industrial facilities enabled us to assemble the 20 blocks of the BRF Jacques Chevallier’s hull in a record time of 50 days. This demonstrates that our expertise as manufacturer of civilian ships can greatly benefit the military in terms of time, cost and quality control».

«Naval Group is proud to be once again present alongside Chantiers de l’Atlantique in this European program. This BRF, the first of a series of four ships, is a strong symbol of Franco-Italian cooperation. It is also a new successful cooperation between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group, which combine their skills in order to offer the DGA and the French Navy the best expertise in the civil and military sectors in the construction of ships of heavy tonnages», added Pierre Éric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group.

The first sea trials will start in the second half of 2022, with delivery of the first unit scheduled for the first half of 2023.

 

A strategic industrial partnership serving the French Navy

The design and construction of the four ships of the FlotLog program is the result of a successful industrial cooperation between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group, driven by OCCAR, in close collaboration with the DGA and the French Navy.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique carries out the global design and the construction of the four ships, and ensures the integration and the implementation of the embedded systems. Naval Group is responsible for the design, development and integration of the combat system and the systems destined to receive aircraft and to embark ammunition.

The BRFs, which will replace the French Navy’s Durance-class ships, have a mission of logistical support of the combat vessels of the French Navy deployed as part of the naval air group or naval task groups. With a capacity of 13,000 m3, they carry fuel, ammunition, spare parts, as well as food for the vessels. These tankers will also participate to support missions for inter-allied operations, underlining the need for interoperable equipment. As a true link in the fleet, these tankers will enable France to continue to have an ocean-going navy, capable of conducting long-term operations far from the national territory and thus maintaining its strategic autonomy.

This new series of the logistics fleet is equipped with self-defence capacities. The combat system of the four ships, whose architecture is based on Naval Group’s Combat Management System, ensures the protection against close threats and the fight against asymmetric surface and air threats.

In line with international standards, the BRFs will replace the current tankers with increased capabilities and modern equipment in order to support the aviation group constituted around the aircraft-carrier.

The Jacques Chevallier (A725), named after the naval engineer and father of French nuclear propulsion, will carry up to 31,000 tons at full load, making it the second heaviest ship in the French Navy, after the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. It will be based in Toulon.

 

Main Characteristics of the vessels

Full loaded displacement 31,000 tons
Overall length 194 m/636.5 feet
Overall width 27.60 m/90.5 feet
Crew capacity 190 people, including 130 crew members and 60 passengers
Total deadweight 14,870 tons
Freight volume 13,000 m3
Total installed capacity 24 MW

 

Navy

Near Future Submarine

22.2.22 (February 2, 2022) is a palindrome number, it was also the date where a major milestone was delivered for the NFS Programme; namely the System Design Review (SDR). This is a highly challenging project, which will enhance Italy’s strategic submarine capabilities.

U212 NFS
U212 NFS programme

The second milestone of the U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS) Programme has been successfully delivered, in accordance to the strict principles of the System Engineering adopted for this design.

The delivery of the second milestone was a very demanding activity, which required a conspicuous amount of effort from both internal and external stakeholders, including NFS Programme Division, OCCAR PMSD, Contractors and Industry. It saw Nation’s support through its specialised submariners skills.

All efforts aimed at completing the required activities within the expected timescales and deadlines in order to comply with the baselined programme schedule. Although Italy is the only current PS, the NFS Programme is a catalyst for enhanced international skills technologies amongst EU and non-EU countries. The SDR was a real success, so much so that participants and stakeholder initiated discussions immediately after to address the Critical Design Review (CDR). It is OCCAR’s intention to meet Nations’ requirements and to comply with cost, time and performance.

Air, Unmanned Systems

MALE RPAS Stage 2

On 24/02/2022, OCCAR-EA Director, Matteo Bisceglia, on behalf of the German, French, Italian and Spanish Participating States, was delighted to sign the European Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS) Stage 2 Contract with Airbus Defence & Space GmbH represented by the CEO, Michael Schoellhorn.

MALE RPAS
European MALE RPAS Stage 2 Contract with Airbus Defence & Space GmbH

This important contract for Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement (OCCAR) and European defence encompasses the development and manufacture of 20 Medium Altitude Long Endurance air systems and more than 5 years of initial in-service support. The European MALE RPAS will offer capabilities that are beyond state of the art, especially in safety, information security and in the field of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR). The manufacture of the first Prototype is expected to commence in 2024.

This critical cooperative programme draws on the expertise of three major sub-contractors (Dassault Aviation S.A., Leonardo S.p.A and Airbus Defence & Space SAU) and, through an open tendering process, mid-cap European system suppliers in the value chain and across the entire supply base. The early phase of the programme is co-funded by the European Union through the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) with the aim to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and sovereignty.

The European MALE RPAS Stage 1 Contract, a Definition Study, was launched in 2016 to define common requirements between Germany, France, Italy and Spain and was successfully concluded in 2018 with the System Preliminary Design Review. The subsequent years have been spent ensuring that the follow-on Stage 2 contract would meet Programme Participating States’ expectations in terms of performance, affordability and value for money. In that respect, the successful completion of this negotiation phase was only made possible thanks to the unwavering drive of OCCAR-EA, nations and industry teams to adhere to established cooperation procurement best practices. Demonstrating that the only way for nations to be able to acquire complex capabilities such as MALE RPAS is through cooperation. As such, the MALE RPAS programme includes but is not limited to a common configuration, a single final assembly line, a common training and support solution and the firm determination to maintain a common organisation to manage all certification, qualification and accreditation activities.

Navy

Sea Trials

On February 22, 2022, Naval Group started the first sea trials of the FREMM DA ‘Lorraine’ (D657), an important step before the frigate’s delivery. For several days, the eighth FREMM to be delivered to the French Navy and second with enhanced air defence capabilities (FREMM DA), will undergo sea trials off the coast of Brittany.

Lorraine (D657)
Lorraine (D657), the 8th and final Aquitaine-class frigate, setting sails from the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient to start initial sea trials (Naval Group picture)

Ordered by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), on behalf of the French Procurement Agency (DGA) and the French Navy, the FREMM DA Lorraine (D657) is the eighth and last multi-mission frigate to be built for the French Navy. It is also the second FREMM with enhanced air defence capabilities (FREMM DA).

Two hundred and fifty people are mobilized to prepare this first sea trial. This session will enable the performance of the ship’s propulsion and navigation systems to be tested. Several campaigns will then be carried out to test all the systems. FREMM DA Lorraine (D657) will then be delivered by the end of the year.

«This first sea trial is a very important moment, especially as this is the last frigate of the FREMM series. This is the first time the ship has been at sea. This milestone also symbolizes three years of preliminary work with our teams and partners. Thanks to exchanges since the beginning of this program in 2005, the FREMM DA Lorraine (D657) carries the most recent and efficient technologies on board», said Didier Trehin, Naval Group’s on-board manager for this first campaign.

After being launched in November 2020, the first sea trial of the FREMM DA Lorraine (D657) is taking place on schedule and in accordance with the company’s contractual commitment to deliver the ship in 2022. Naval Group’s teams and partners’ have been mobilized to meet this milestone despite the Covid crisis.

The FREMM program proceeds according to the schedule established by the last Military Planning Law (LPM). Seven FREMMs have already been delivered to the French Navy between 2012 and 2021. Aquitaine (D650) in 2012, Provence (D652) in 2015, Languedoc (D653) in 2016, Auvergne (D654) in April 2017, Bretagne (D655) in July 2018, Normandie (D651) in July 2019 and Alsace (D656) in April 2021. Internationally, the Mohammed VI (701) was delivered to Morocco in 2014 and the Tahya Misr (FFG-1001) delivrerd to Egypt in 2015.

 

FREMM benefited from the program’s feedback, from the start of the construction

With 3,500 hours at sea per year, the FREMMs’ level of availability at sea is unmatched and is an important source of information. The permanent dialogue between the navies, the DGA, the OCCAR, as well as the construction and maintenance teams, enables Naval Group to propose technologies adapted to the evolution of its customers’ operational needs.

As a result of this operational feedback, the FREMM DA Lorraine (D657) benefits from the deployment of new functions: enhanced cyber capabilities, deployment of Liaison 22 (link between NATO military units), reduced width mast, replacement of the optronic artillery fire control by a radar/optronic fire control, or the integration of a tactical table.

 

A polyvalent FREMM that has mobilized all the know-how of Naval Group and its industrial partners

Multi-mission frigates, designed and built by Naval Group, are polyvalent, stealthy and highly automated ships capable of responding to all types of air, sea, submarine or land threats.

The operational excellence of FREMMs is recognized worldwide, such as by the U.S. Navy, whose 6th Fleet has awarded the Hook’em Award to four FREMMs for their excellence in anti-submarine warfare two years in a row.

A multi-mission frigate represents four million hours of work, about half of which benefits the supply chain and local actors. The design, construction and maintenance of FREMMs mobilize two hundred and fifty unique skills, some of which are so specific that they require up to eleven years of training (carpenter-sheet metal worker, hull welder, boilermaker, etc.).

The frigate will be based in Toulon alongside the FREMM DA Alsace (D656) to provide air defence for major units such as the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier or the amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA), as part of a naval or amphibious strike group. The FREMMs with enhanced air capabilities, Alsace (D656) and Lorraine (D657), are thus able to carry out the same anti-submarine warfare missions as the other FREMMs in the series, in addition to their enhanced air capabilities.

The FREMM DA also use the most advanced weapons and equipment systems such as the Herakles multifunction radar supplied by Thales, the Aster 15 and 30 and Exocet MM 40 missiles, the MU 90 torpedoes and three additional Combat Management System Setis consoles in the «central operations». Like the other FREMMs, the Lorraine will carry the NH90 helicopter (Caiman Marine), whose use is supported by the SAMAHE system supplied by Naval Group.

 

Characteristics

Total length 466 feet/142 m
Width 65.6 feet/20 m
Displacement 6,000 tonnes
Maximum speed 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h
Operation 123 persons (+ 14 people for the helicopter detachment)
Accommodation capacity 165 men and women
Cruising range at 15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h 6,000 nautical miles/6,905 miles/11,112 km

 

Navy

The first in «full» version

On February 12, 2022, the technical launch of the fourth Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship (PPA – Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) «Giovanni delle Bande Nere» (P433) took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genoa).

Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P433)
Fincantieri launches the fourth PPA « Giovanni delle Bande Nere » in Riva Trigoso

This PPA, to be delivered in 2024, is the first in «full» version, which means equipped for a complete defence ability, and the first to be supplied with generator sets by Isotta Fraschini Motori, a Fincantieri subsidiary specialized in the production of diesel engines.

The vessel is part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the Italian Navy vessels, approved by the Government and Parliament and started in May 2015 («Naval Act») under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).

 

Vessel’s characteristics: PPA – Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship

The multipurpose offshore patrol vessel is a highly flexible ship with the capacity to serve multiple functions, ranging from patrol with sea rescue capacity to Civil Protection operations and, in its most highly equipped version, first line fighting vessel. For the seven vessels of the program there will be indeed different configurations of combat system: starting from a «soft» version for the patrol task, integrated for self-defence ability, to a «full» one, as described above. The patrol ship is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to 11 meters/36 feet long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.

  • 133 meters/436 feet long
  • Speed more than 31 knots/35.7 mph/57.4 km/h according to vessel configuration and operational conditions
  • 145 crew members and accommodation capacity up to 181 beds
  • Combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, i.e. with electric motors for low speeds
  • Capacity to supply drinking water to land

The PPAs will be built at the Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with deliveries expected until 2026.

Giovanni delle Bande Nere – Ludovico di Giovanni de’ Medici, also known as Giovanni delle Bande Nere (born April 6, 1498, Forli – died November 30, 1526 Mantua), was an Italian Renaissance «condottiero» (captain of mercenary forces). He belonged to a cadet branch of the Medici.

The light cruiser that during World War II was named after him was launched in 1930. During the conflict, equipped with seaplanes, Bande Nere participated in the Battle of Calabria. Later deployed to the Aegean Sea to attack enemy units, she took part in the battle off Cape Spada, fighting against an Australian cruiser and 5 British destroyers. Successful missions conducted by Bande Nere included the laying of Minefield T, a coastal mine barrier off Tripoli, which caused the sinking of an enemy cruiser and a destroyer, besides severely damaging other two cruisers. This was the most significant result ever achieved thanks to minelaying during WW II. During the Second Battle of Sirte, Bande Nere hit another British cruiser. In 1942, returning from one of her missions, she was fatally torpedoed off the island of Stromboli.

In 2019, during a technical verification and surveillance of the seabed in the Tyrrhenian Sea near Stromboli, the Italian Navy’s minesweeper Vieste found the wreck of the Light Cruiser sunk 77 years before with her brave crew.