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Navy

Raimondo Montecuccoli

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September 27, 2023, the delivery of the third Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship (PPA) «Raimondo Montecuccoli» (P432) took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano.

Raimondo Montecuccoli (P432)
Fincantieri delivers the third PPA «Raimondo Montecuccoli» in Muggiano

The ceremony was attended, among others, by Vice Admiral Antonio Natale, Commandant of the Navy Schools and Institutes, Emanuele Coletti, Deputy Director of Naval Armaments – NAVARM and Mr. Joachim Sucker, OCCAR Director, welcomed by the General Manager of the Naval Vessels Division Dario Deste.

This 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. 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, equipped for a complete defence ability. The vessel 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/436.4 feet long.
  • Speed more than 31 knots/35.7 mph/57.4 kph according to vessel configuration and operational conditions.
  • 171 persons of the crew.
  • Equipped with a combined diesel, a gas turbine plant (CODAG) and an electric propulsion system.
  • Capacity to supply drinking water to land.

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

 

Raimondo Montecuccoli, from Modena, was a general in service within the Austrian Empire. He participated with great success in all the wars fought in Europe – between 1625 and 1675 – by the Habsburg monarchy against the Dutch, Swedes, Turks and French. Initiated to a career in the church, he instead chose the military career with determination, serving the Empire and standing out in several campaigns during the Thirty Years’ War. From 1648, he held a series of very important diplomatic positions in Italy and Europe. At the peak of his career, he became the rank of General Lieutenant of the Empire (1609-1681).

He was a man with a unique culture, a very successful military writer (he was the first to further explore his studies in personnel and logistics), and was mentioned by Ugo Foscolo as the greatest and most learned Italian men at arms.

His name was previously attributed to a light cruiser of the same-named class. Unit characterized by the reputation of a lucky ship, in the headlines since 1937, when she was sent, with only twenty-four hours notice, to China. Protagonist of the battle of Pantelleria, on June 15, 1942, the vessel resulted in the loss of the destroyer «Bedouin», the «Kentucky» tank, as well as in the damage to the cruiser «Cairo», the destroyers «Ithuriel» and «Partridge», and the minesweeper «Hebe».

Navy

Near Future Submarine

OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, the international organization for joint armament cooperation) has exercised the construction of the third new generation submarine related to the U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) program for the Italian Navy assigned to Fincantieri. The vessel has a total value of more than euro 500 million, including the integrated support service, and will be delivered in 2030.

U212 NSF
The third NFS submarine for the Italian Navy to Fincantieri

Future program development also contemplates an additional 160 million for future additional activities or provision of specific additional capabilities required by the Navy.

The U212NFS submarines will be highly innovative, with significant design modifications which will all be developed independently by Fincantieri, which holds the role of Design Authority, 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 tasks that submarines perform for the benefit of the community are manifold. On a daily basis, Navy submarines are engaged in the surveillance of maritime communication routes and the underwater dimension, including within NATO and EU alliances. It is a role that is becoming increasingly important in light of the country’s interests that reside below the surface of the sea, from seabed resources to underwater energy and communications infrastructure.

Navy

Atlante

On June 28, 2023, in the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, took place the keel laying ceremony of the second Logistic Support Ship (LSS) «Atlante» for the Italian Navy, within a program including a third ship.

ITS Atlante (A5336)
Keel laying in Castellammare of «Atlante», the second LSS unit for the Italian Navy

The unit, built in Castellammare di Stabia, will be delivered in 2025.

The value of the contract is approximately 410 million euros including the combat system.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by Vice Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director of Naval Armaments – NAVARM, and C.A. Lorenzo Poliseno, OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement – Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) LSS Programme Manager, welcomed by Mauro Leboffe and Francesco Lubrano, respectively Senior Vice President Operations of the Naval Vessels Division and Director of the Castellammare Shipyard for Fincantieri.

As part of the multi-year program aimed at safeguarding Italy’s Defence at-sea capacity (known as the «Naval Act»), Fincantieri is currently building seven multi-purpose offshore patrol vessels (PPA) and the «Trieste» Landing Helicopter Dock. In 2021 the Group delivered the «Vulcano» LSS, a vessel partially built at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, a project also acquired by the French Navy for the definition of the Flotlog program, a series of units built in partnership with the same shipyard.

The basic characteristic common to all three classes of the Italian ships is their very high level of innovation, which makes them extremely flexible in their various profiles of use with a high degree of efficiency. Most importantly, it will be possible to use these units in a complementary way even for non-military-related activities, such as, for example, supporting civil protection in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Moreover, their environmental impact is low, thanks to advanced low pollution emission generators and electric-drive propulsion motors and biological waste control systems.

Navy

Near Future Submarine

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.