Rome Announces Major Naval Acquisition
ROME — Italy has recently committed to enhancing its naval power by purchasing two state-of-the-art naval destroyers, a move that promises to significantly boost its maritime capabilities, according to the shipbuilders involved.
The Italian government has finalized an agreement through the European defense procurement organization, OCCAR, for a total of €3.7 billion (approximately $4.2 billion). This deal secures the delivery of two advanced DDX destroyers scheduled for 2033 and 2035.
The contract was inked with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a collaborative Italian venture where the major shipbuilding company Fincantieri owns a 51% stake and defense powerhouse Leonardo owns 49%. The destroyers, each displacing 13,500 tonnes and measuring 180 meters in length, will be crewed by 251 personnel and will have a cruising range of 4,000 nautical miles, as per Fincantieri’s announcement.
The technological advancements of these ships are notable. According to the manufacturers, Leonardo will equip the destroyers with a combat system that includes advanced digital features. Additionally, the ships will be fitted with a DC power sub-network and an associated energy storage system, a cutting-edge stabilization system that integrates with the steering, and new algorithms and methodologies for the management of thermal and electrical balances. The digital enhancements extend to the Ship Management System as well.
Moreover, the vessels will be equipped with Leonardo’s latest SADOC 5 command-and-control system, a digital S-band AESA radar, and weapon systems provided by MBDA, enhancing their operational capabilities significantly.
The acquisition of these DDX destroyers is part of a broader initiative to modernize the Italian navy, which has already seen orders for FREMM-class frigates, PPA multimission ships, a new landing helicopter dock, new submarines, and logistics vessels.
These new destroyers are intended to operate alongside and eventually replace the navy’s two Horizon-class vessels, a spokesperson from the Italian navy informed Defense News.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
