Fincantieri at IDEF 2007

Fincantieri, TRIESTE, Italy: Fincantieri will have a stand at the eighth IDEF (International Defense Industry Fair) in Ankara from 22 to 25 May. IDEF, which is supported by the Turkish Ministry of Defence, is one of the sector’s most important fairs, one of the top ten fairs in the world and the largest in Eurasia. Since 1993 it has been held every two years, giving defence industries an important opportunity to meet and affording an insight into progress in the sector’s technologies. 
 
Fincantieri’s participation at IDEF 2007 is significant not only because it is a highly important commercial opportunity before an international audience but also because of the specific interests the company is following in Turkey where it already achieved an important commercial success in January this year. 
 
Having formed an industrial alliance with RMK Marine shipyard (KOC Group), Tuzla (Istanbul) the company won its bid in a tender called by the Turkish Undersecretary for the Defence Industries for the construction of four Ocean Patrol Vessels for the local Coast Guard. Fincantieri’s participation in this programme is high prestige since it involves providing the design, naval components, transfer of technology and know-how as well as comprising logistical support and training of the crews and workers at the local shipyard, which will build the four vessels within the end of 2011. 
 
The main strengths which enabled Fincantieri to win the bid were, in addition to the willingness to transfer technology and full support for the construction in loco, the agreement with RMK shipyard for the future sale of similar vessels to third nations, and, above all, unlike other bidders, that it was possible to offer the design of a product already satisfactorily in service with the Italian Navy. 
 
Furthermore the company is carefully following Turkey’s move towards the renewal and expansion of is military apparatus: for the Navy’s fleet alone investments are expected to be in the order of approximately 4 billion dollars in the next ten years. Within this scenario Fincantieri could be favoured – as has already been the case with regard to commercial success gained in other nations – since the company can propose both well proven designs employed by the Italian Armed Forces and designs of new conception. A further plus point is the company’s post-sales service with integrated logistical support and the planning of maintenance activities such as carrying out work of an ordinary and extraordinary nature or refitting at its own sites or at a site chosen by the customer. 
 
In particular the company is also closely monitoring the development of a project to build a new LPD (Landing Platform Dock) for the Turkish Navy. The ship’s design is still being studied and there are many affinities to the new amphibious vessels that the Italian Navy is also considering. 
 
At IDEF 2007 Fincantieri will present some of its most innovative products, which bear witness to the level of excellence achieved by the company in the naval field where it boasts a full range of know-how, designing and building all types of conventional naval vessels (aircraft carriers, frigates, corvettes, patrol vessels, support ships and submarines) in keeping with the highest technology standards. Indeed, Fincantieri holds a leading position among the defence industries: in Italy the company is the reference partner of the Italian Navy and the Coast Guard, in Europe it has participated in important programmes with the sector’s main builders and in the international market the company has recently gained a number of important orders which have further strengthened the company’s important tradition to export naval vessels. 
 
Recently, the company has gained an order for four patrol vessels for the Iraqi Navy whose design was developed from the vessel built for the Italian Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of Malta. 
 
Fincantieri will exhibit the following models in Ankara: 
 
–Submarine S1000: developed in accordance with the latest theories regarding the use of submarines, designed for intelligence, patrolling and recognition operations; 
 
— the “Cigala Fulgosi” class corvette: in addition to operating as a surface combat vessel, the ship can carry out medium and long range patrolling of international waters, maritime borders and Exclusive Economic Zones. The ship’s geometry was specifically designed to reduce radar signature; 
 
— the “San Giusto” class LPD: the ship can provide land connections, air connections via its own helicopters and sea connections via its own craft. It has been designed to carry out specific military duties, as for example transporting troops, vehicles and equipment, and has a large flight deck and an aft floating dock; 
 
— the “Cavour” aircraft carrier: due for delivery at the end of 2007 to the Italian Navy which ordered the ship within the framework of the Italian fleet renewal plan. This is a technologically cutting edge ship, able to operate in conjunction with JSF (Joint Strike Fighters); 
 
— the P61 Patrol vessel Armed Forces of Malta: delivered in 2005 and developed from the five “Diciotti” class vessels recently built by Fincantieri for the Italian Coast Guard. The four patrol vessels being built for the Iraqi Navy follow the same design. Highly flexible operationally, this type of vessel can be employed in a number of roles such as patrolling, anti-pollution activities, assistance to vessels in difficulty, search and rescue operations. 
 
— The model of the future multi-mission “Rinascimento” class frigates (FREMM) will also be presented. The vessels are the fruit of an Italian-French programme of cooperation involving Orizzonte Sistemi Navali S.p.A (51% Fincantieri, 49% Finmeccanica) and Armaris (DCN + Thales) and provides for the construction of 27 vessels of different configuration for the two navies, 17 for the French Navy and 10 for the Italian Navy. The first two vessels for the Italian Navy will soon be built by Fincantieri at the company’s Muggiano shipyard. 
 
Participants are kindly invited to visit Fincantieri’s stand where staff will be pleased to provide further information and details on the company’s activities and products.