The Italian Navy has taken delivery of its fourth vessel, Carabiniere, from Orizzonte Sistemi Navali as part of the the multi-mission European frigates (FREMM) programme.
Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a joint venture between Fincantieri and Finmeccanica, is the prime contractor for Italy within the international Italian and French FREMM programme.
Go deeper with GlobalData
This fourth FREMM unit is the third vessel to feature an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) configuration. ASW increases the frigate’s ability to operate with silent navigation during significant anti-submarine hunting missions.
The 144m-long vessel has a displacement at full-load of approximately 6,700t, and a cruising speed of 27k.
Designed to operate in a wide range of scenarios and tactical situations, the vessel will be able to provide accommodation for 200 people, including crew and staff.
The FREMM multi-mission ship programme is part of a major cooperation agreement between France and Italy.
Italy will receive the vessels in an anti-submarine warfare model and a general-purpose vehicle version.
In addition, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali has also received an order from OCCAR, the organisation for joint armament cooperation, to construct the ninth and tenth FREMM frigates.
Valued at €764m, this order will mark the completion of a contract awarded for the supply of ten vessels to the navy.
The new vessels are expected to be delivered after 2020 and will replace the Lupo and Maestrale-class frigates built by Fincantieri in the 1970s.
