A Sirio-class patrol vessel, an enduring warship in the Italian Navy that has been in service since 2003. This class, along with other ageing patrol vessels, will be replaced with new OPVs. Credit: Fincantieri.

An Italian joint venture, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) – which combines the expertise of Fincantieri and Leonardo – has been given the green light to begin construction on another Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).

With three units already in the process of construction, the Italian Navy has now exercised its option for a fourth OPV, which will be built at Fincantieri’s Riva Trigoso and Muggiano Integrated Shipyard.

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In July 2023, OSN was contracted by the service to produce three OPVs, with an option for three more units. Valued at €925m ($1.01bn), this deal included infrastructure upgrades required to house the ships at naval bases in Augusta, Cagliari and Messina.

Italy’s OPV programme address the need to ensure adequate capabiltiies for presence and surveillance, amrtime surveillance, merchant traffic and control, protection of communication lines and the exclusive economic zone as well as protecting against threats from marine pollution, such as spills and toxic liquids.

The patrol vessels have a length of approximately 95 metres, a displacement of 2,300 tonnes and the capacity to accommodate 97 crew members. These ships are based on Fincantieri’s FCX family of ships, built with cyber resilience, health and safety as well as the environment in mind.

It is worth noting that the OPV programme differs from other light combat vessel programmes simultaneously under construction, as the Navy attempts to replace numerous warships still in service; some, such as the Lerici-class minehunters, have been in use for nearly 40 years, according to GlobalData intelligence. Italy is also pursuing the PPA, seven of which will be in service by 2026, and the pan-European Multi Modular Patrol Corvette, within which Italy serves as a project coordinator.

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Among the most innovative features of the OPV is the naval cockpit, this concept was initially developed for the PPAs. It is an integrated workstation, co-produced by Leonardo and Fincantieri NexTech, that allows the conduct of the ship and airborne operations by just two operators, the pilot and co-pilot, who have incorporated the figures of the bridge watch officer and the captain. Indeed, from this station, located in the command bridge, it is possible to manage the machines, rudders and platform systems and some functions of the combat system.

In the coming days, OSN will finalise sub-contracts by notifying the option exercise to Fincantieri and Leonardo, with a value respectively of around €163m and €70m.