The joint venture “Orrizonte Sistemi Navali” (OSN) has been awarded the contract for a fourth deep-sea patrol boat for the Italian Navy.
The total value of the order is around €236m. OSN will finalise the subcontracts with partners Fincantieri and Leonardo for the exercise of the option worth €163m and €70m respectively. The vessel will be built as part of the Italian Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program, which is exercising its option for a fourth vessel. Fincantieri holds 51% of the OSN joint venture, while Leonardo holds the remaining 49%.
Italian Navy modernises fleet
The OPV programme is intended to contribute to the modernisation and renewal of the Italian Navy’s units. It should, among other things, ensure adequate presence and surveillance, control commercial traffic, protect traffic routes in the Mediterranean, and prevent environmental pollution.
With a length of around 95 m, a displacement of 2,300 tons and a capacity for 97 crew members on board, the new patrol vessels, which are being built in the Fincantieri shipyards Riva Trigoso and Muggiano Integrated Shipyard, are characterised by modern technology. According to Fincantieri, they will set “top standards” in the areas of automation and manoeuvrability. This makes the OPVs suitable for many tactical scenarios and weather conditions.
