Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has secured another newbuilding order from its home market. The state-controlled company announced that it will build two PPA (Pattugliatori Polivalenti d’Altura) multipurpose combat vessels for the Italian Navy.
The order is expected to strengthen Fincantieri’s strategic role in the Navy’s fleet renewal program. The newbuildings will replace two ships that are being sold to the Indonesian Navy.
The client is the state defense procurement agency OCCAR. In addition to Fincantieri, defense company Leonardo — Fincantieri’s joint venture partner —is also involved in the project. For Fincantieri alone, the contract is reportedly worth around €700 million. However, according to the statement, “the work already carried out for the earlier units, which were subsequently sold to Indonesia,” has already been factored in—though no further details were provided.
The two ships will be built in the so-called “Light Plus” configuration at the Riva Trigoso and Muggiano shipyards. Delivery is scheduled for 2029 and 2030.
Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and General Director of Fincantieri, emphasized that the order will help “consolidate Italy’s role as a key player in the global geopolitical defense scenario, in which shipbuilding is increasingly a key element of international influence and cooperation.”
The PPA multipurpose combat ship is described as a “highly flexible vessel” capable of carrying out a wide range of missions — from patrol and sea rescue to civil defense and high-end combat operations. Multiple combat system configurations are available, ranging from a basic “Light” version with self-defense capabilities to a fully equipped “Full” version with advanced combat systems. The vessels are also capable of launching RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) over 11 meters in length via side davits or a stern ramp.
Technical Details:
- Length: 143 m total length
- Speed: over 31 knots
- Crew: 171
- Propulsion: combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion (CODAG) and an electric propulsion system
