Italy to upgrade all PPA vessels to full combat configuration

PPA Domenico Millelire (P 436) for the Italian Navy, one of the ships always intended to be in full combat configuration, is expected to be delivered in 2026. (Italian Navy)

The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (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 Multi-Purpose Combat Ships (Pattugliatore Polivalenti d'Altura: PPA) to the Full Combat System standard.

Of seven PPAs ordered, four have already been delivered to these 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 configuration. The combat Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P 434) is already in the full combat configuration.

Three PPAs have yet to be delivered. Domenico Millelire (P 436), was built in the full combat configuration and is expected to be delivered in 2026. In March 2024 the two remaining PPA hulls were sold to Indonesia. Two as-yet unnamed hulls will replace them and be built in the full combat configuration.

In its 21 April 2026 press release OCCAR valued the full combat upgrade at 2014 rates of EUR392 million (USD521 million). 2014 was when Fincantieri and Leonardo first announced an agreement to form the consortium to deliver the PPA programme.

The upgrade will see the light and light plus configurations disappear. All PPAs will then be equipped with:

In addition, OCCAR said the contract amendment provided for unspecified new cyber defence capabilities. OCCAR added that it provides for the acquisition of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs).