Italian Navy orders fourth OPV from Orizzonte Sistemi Navali

The Italian Navy has exercised an option to purchase a fourth OPV from OSN. (Fincantieri)

Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), the joint venture partnership between Fincantieri and Leonardo, has been given the green light to build the fourth offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Italian Navy.

In a 5 August announcement, OSN said it had been awarded a contract modification by the Italian Navy worth approximately EUR236 million (USD258 million) in total, exercising an option to move ahead with the construction of the fourth vessel. Of the total contract value, about EUR163 million has been allocated to Fincantieri and about EUR70 million to Leonardo. The scope of the contract includes related logistical support.

OSN was awarded a EUR925 million (USD1.011 billion) contract for the first batch of three next-generation OPVs – with options for three more – in August 2023. The vessels will be built at Fincantieri's Riva Trigoso and Muggiano Integrated Shipyard.

The new-generation OPV is based on the FCX-20 variant of Fincantieri's FCX naval ship series.

Design specifications include a full load displacement of around 2,300 tonnes, an overall length of 95 m, a top speed of more than 24 kt, and a range of 3,500 n miles at 14 kt. The vessels will carry a core crew complement of 72, with spare berths for an additional 25 personnel.

The ships will be equipped with a flight deck and hangar for one medium-sized helicopter and a Class II unmanned aerial vehicle, and be able to launch and recover two rigid-hulled inflatable boats.