Fincantieri cuts steel for first Italian FREMM Evo frigate

A scale model of the FREMM Evo frigate on display at Fincantieri's stand at Euronaval 2024. (Janes/Neil Dee)

Fincantieri has started construction on the first of two next-generation FREMM Evo (Evolution)-class multimission frigates on order for the Italian Navy.

A steel-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion was held at Fincantieri's shipyard in Riva Trigoso, Genoa, on 3 April, the shipbuilder confirmed on the same day.

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.

Under the terms of the contract, the first ship is expected to be delivered in 2029, followed by the second in 2030.

In service the FREMM EVOs will complement the 10 Bergamini-class FREMM frigates already on order for the Italian Navy under the multi-year FREMM programme, featuring updated technology installed on the Thaon Di Revel (PPA) class and addressing platform and system obsolescence on the earlier frigates. 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 will be 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.