Euronaval 2026: Fincantieri and Leonardo agree to strengthen OSN's naval integration role
Rendering of the Italian Navy's future DDX-class destroyer. Image provided by Micaela Longo, Media Relations, Fincantieri by email on25 September 2026 for use in Janes reference publications including Janes Fighting Ships. (Fincantieri)
Fincantieri and Leonardo have signed a letter of intent (LoI) to strengthen the industrial and commercial role of their naval joint venture, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN).
Signed during the Euronaval 2026 exhibition, held in Paris from 3-6 November, the agreement covers collaboration on Italian and export opportunities and the integration of naval platforms and combat systems. OSN is owned 51% by Fincantieri and 49% by Leonardo.
The announcement did not disclose a financial value, implementation timetable, or changes to the joint venture's ownership.
OSN's portfolio includes Italy's DDX destroyers, FREMM EVO frigates, earlier FREMM variants, and four new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), alongside support programmes for Italian naval vessels.
In September 2026 OSN signed a contract with European procurement agency OCCAR worth approximately EUR3.7 billion, including EUR1.3 billion in options, for the development, production, and initial support of two DDX destroyers. The ships will provide air and missile defence capabilities, with deliveries scheduled for 2033 and 2035.
The two FREMM EVO frigates were ordered through OCCAR under a EUR1.5 billion contract signed in July 2024, with deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030. Both are under construction at Fincantieri's Riva Trigoso–Muggiano yard shipyard, where steel was cut for the second vessel on 23 July 2026; improvements include the SADOC 4 combat management system, fixed-face dual-band radars, and capabilities to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and operate unmanned systems.
The earlier Italian FREMM programme comprised four general-purpose, four anti-submarine warfare, and two enhanced anti-submarine warfare frigates. The final vessel, Emilio Bianchi
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