Fincantieri delivers fifth PPA patrol vessel to Italian Navy

The Italian Navy's fifth PPA, ITS Domenico Millelire, a multipurpose patrol ship built by Fincantieri alongside systems provider Leonardo, during its acceptance ceremony at La Spezia shipyard on 24 September 2026. (Fincantieri)

The Italian Navy marked the final official acceptance of its fifth Multi-purpose Offshore Patrol Vessel (Pattugliatore Polivalenti d'Altura: PPA), ITS Domenico Millelire, at Fincantieri's Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia on 24 September 2026.

The event followed the successful completion of the Final Official Acceptance Review, during which representatives from Italy, Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), and industry verified contractual compliance, the vessel's readiness, and associated delivery documentation, OCCAR said in a press release on 24 September 2026.

ITS Domenico Millelire is the second of two Full combat system standard PPAs in the programme, distinguished from the Light and Light Plus configurations by its ability to support a spectrum of operations, including anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). However, the Light (comprising gun systems only) and Light Plus (guns and eight Sylver missile modules of eight cells each holding Aster family surface-to-air missiles) versions can be upgraded to the Full combat system standard during the vessel's life.

On 21 April OCCAR, acting on behalf of Italy, agreed a contract amendment with the temporary consortium of Fincantieri and Leonardo to upgrade all of the Italian Navy's seven future PPAs to the Full combat system standard.

Five of the seven have been delivered to the Italian Navy. Paolo Thaon di Revel (P 430) and Francesco Morosini (P 431) are in the light configuration. Raimondo Montecuccoli (P 432) is in the light plus configuration. These three will be upgraded to the Full combat system standard. The combat Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P 434) is already at Full standard.