Franco-Italian Horizon-class MLU programme passes critical design review milestone

A model of a Horizon-class frigate, with planned upgrades highlighted, at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition. (Janes/Neil Dee)

The Franco-Italian Horizon-class anti-air warfare (AAW) frigate mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme successfully completed its critical design review (CDR) on 4 April.

In a statement issued the same day, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) said the CDR milestone was achieved “to the satisfaction of both the participating states involved who worked with OCCAR to identify the most innovative technological solutions to counter the current high-performance threats”.

The CDR milestone, which follows the completion of the system design review on 3 October 2024, officially marks the transition from the design phase to the development phase and represents another pillar in the co-operative programme between Italy and France managed by OCCAR.

Built under a joint programme between Fincantieri and Naval Group between 2000 and 2010, the Horizon class comprises two Forbin-class frigates operated by the French Navy (FS Forbin and FS Chevalier Paul ) and two Andrea Doria-class destroyers operated by the Italian Navy (ITS Andrea Doria and ITS Caio Duilio ).

Naviris and co-contractor Eurosam were in July 2023 awarded a EUR1.5 billion (USD1.63 billion) contract from OCCAR to carry out the MLU, which also includes the involvement of other industry partners, including Leonardo and SIGEN (a joint venture (JV) between Elettronica and Thales).

The MLU covers the overall modernisation of the frigates to maintain and extend their capabilities and performance to the end of their service lives, with a particular focus on the ships' Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), encompassing updates to radars, munitions, and associated command-and-control (C2) functionality.