Fincantieri lays keel for first Italian FREMM Evo frigate
A keel-laying ceremony for the Italian Navy's first FREMM Evo frigate was held by Fincantieri on 8 July. (Fincantieri)
Fincantieri held a keel-laying ceremony for the first of two next-generation FREMM Evo (Evolution)-class multimission frigates on order for the Italian Navy at its shipyard in Riva Trigoso, Genoa, on 8 July.
The latest milestone, announced by the shipbuilder the same day, follows a steel-cutting ceremony for the new ship, which was held on 3 April.
Under current planning, the new ship will be delivered in 2029, followed by the second unit in 2030.
The FREMM Evo frigates are being built under a contract awarded to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture between Fincantieri and Leonardo, by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) on 31 July 2024.
The FREMM Evo is based on the Bergamini-class FREMM design but features updated technology installed on the Thaon Di Revel (PPA) class and addresses platform and system obsolescence on the earlier frigates in service with the Italian Navy. All of the capabilities and performance in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) domain of the FREMM ASW units already in service will be maintained.
Platform system enhancements will include updates to the ship management system, including the air conditioning and electrical distribution systems, and the implementation of specific solutions to improve the green footprint of the unit.
The combat system is also being updated with Leonardo's SADOC 4 cyber-resilient combat management system (CMS), new radar sensors (including the company's Kronos Dual-Band Radar [DBR] X/C) capable of supporting defence against theatre ballistic missile threats, and modernisation of the electronic warfare capabilities, missile systems, sonar suite, communication system, and tactical datalinks.
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