Italian Navy Discussions and Updates

John Fedup said:

Was not aware Lamborghini made tractors until I started watching his farm show.

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Ferrucio Lamborghini was Tractor designer and producers before making sport Cars. He make sports car after Enzo Ferrari insult him.


Anyway all back to Italian design soul and emotion, in that sense Fincantieri PPA can be considered in a way.

SolarisKenzo said:

Never noticed it?
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No, this is also the first time i see this photo.
(Thanks for sharing btw...)

Greece and Italy signed today a Memorand of Understanding for the sale of 2 italian FREMM frigates currently in service to the greek navy and an option for 2 more.
They also signed a deal to cover the preparatory works.
Both ministers of defence were present.

The ships will not be delivered immediatly, Greece needs to update its infrastructure and train the crews so we are talking about a couple of years IMHO.
This also gives time to Italy to speed up the construction of FREMM-EVOs to replace those units.

This is an article going in depth on the replacement ships for the Italian navy

Xavier interview Leonardo on their new Lionfish 30mm. This is will be new secondary gun for future Italian capital ships like new Destroyer and FREMM Evo. Also will be retrofitted later on to others replacing older 25mm.

Ananda said:

Xavier interview Leonardo on their new Lionfish 30mm. This is will be new secondary gun for future Italian capital ships like new Destroyer and FREMM Evo. Also will be retrofitted later on to others replacing older 25mm.

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This gun has been selected for the RCN River class.

Xavier tour on Italian navy Type 212A submarine. Rare opening of access by Italian Navy on their prime assets.

Very nice picture from the Italian Navy press website.

While the USN takes a detour on their DD(X), Marina Militare starts its own DD(X) program

koxinga said:

While the USN takes a detour on their DD(X), Marina Militare starts its own DD(X) program

Italy’s DDX Destroyer Tender Path Starts Now

In recent hours, Italy has formally set the procurement machinery in motion for two new-generation destroyers—labelled DDG in official language and widely referred to as DDX—by publishing a prior information notice in the EU Official Journal. The notice points to 18 February 2026 as the moment...

www.itamilradar.com

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|"the first two units are meant to replace Durand de la Penne/Mimbelli, with additional ships envisaged later to replace the Doria-class destroyers."|

It is a little bit late to start now with the development with a new class of destroyers, the Durand de la Penne is decommissioned last year, the Francesco Mimbelli is planned to be retired next year, if i'm not wrong.

These units are very expensive and, even tho they have been in the "making" for a while, both the Navy and the builder decided to focus on more FREMM units and improvements (FREMM-EVO...).
The DDX program also underwent several big changes at the design level (as reported by gov defence committee) because they ended up being too big. Fincantieri said that the Navy wanted an almost 15k tons ship.
Not really sure what they are going to do, FREMM EVOs were announced last year and they are already in production. Those things are probably just too big.

Marina Militare PPA, Raimondo Montecuccoli succesfully launch Aster 30. Shown the compatibility test already being done.

In the new naval inventory prospected by the ITN Chief of Staff, the amphibious force has enlarged to two LHDs and four LPDs (to be designed and built under the LxD project) to establish two dedicated groups. The blue-water component registers an expansion with the addition of two missile-guided destroyers to the already planned four platforms (including two new generation DDGs to be procured in 2026 to replace the already retired Admiral-class units and the Mid-life Upgrade of the Doria-class platforms) a key strengthening to the protection of Italy and NATO/EU countries along naval groups against the ballistic and hypersonic missile threats. This is sided by twelve FREMMs (with the replacement of the oldest to be transferred to Greece and a planned MLU project) along the seven MPCS/PPAs (to be taken all to the Full configuration), four Offshore Patrol Vessels (PPX programme) and four Multi Modular Patrol Corvette (MMPCs). The Italian Navy also wants four logistic support ships (LSSs), one more of current plans. A larger Naval Aviation component is foreseen with additional 25 helicopters of unknown type to current fleet of 86 among SH90s and EH101s.

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Marina Militare Chief put the focus and plan of Italian Navy future configuration and operational focus.

Video on Garibaldi leaving its base for the last time. Emotional moment for many Italian naval enthusiats.

Fincantieri announce commencement of DDX project. 13,500 ton, 180 m and base on model already circulating it us with 80 VLS (48 at front and 32 at middle).

Thus larger then Orizonte, and also De Le Penne class they are replacing. So far still 2, thus means this is replacement building and Marina Militare still maintaining 4 AAW Destroyer posture.

Ananda said:

Fincantieri (@Fincantieri) on X

With the DDX programme, we are introducing a new generation of technologically advanced units for the Italian Navy, representing the evolution and replacement of the Horizon-class units and designed to operate in maritime scenarios characterised by increasing complexity and ever-greater integration…

x.com

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Fincantieri announce commencement of DDX project. 13,500 ton, 180 m and base on model already circulating it us with 80 VLS (48 at front and 32 at middle).

Thus larger then Orizonte, and also De Le Penne class they are replacing. So far still 2, thus means this is replacement building and Marina Militare still maintaining 4 AAW Destroyer posture.

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So this is more the replacement for the Vittorio Veneto 550 cruiser. The Italians had the habit to put a lot of guns on the cruisers, in the last three the standard was 8 × Oto Melara 76 mm, i wonder how many the new cruisers will get. Vittorio Veneto was an impressive ship with an amazing amount of radar systems installed on the whole superstructure, this time we can expect less.

They should have keep this beauty as a museum ship.

Sandhi Yudha said:

So this is more the replacement for the Vittorio Veneto 550 cruiser.

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According to Italian sources Vittorio replacement actually carrier Carvour. As Trieste act as Garibaldi replacement even tough classified as LHD.

DDX is replacing Durand De La Penne class AAW Destroyers, and the amount of gun in DDX similar even bit less then De La Penne. I believe Italian members in here already point out that De La Penne Mk-13 and SM-1 missile already close to obsolescence not long after coming to operation.

Add:

So, the contract was officially signed for 2 units (but the second one will have to be approved before starting construction because of the cost).
Those units will not replace Horizon-class but you can say they will replace the De La Penne-class that were taken out of service last year (the second ship of the class is used as a school ship only).
But to be honest they are not really a replacement, being basically Cruisers.
I say this because both Horizon and De La Penne were anti-air warfare destroyers. These new ones will be effectively cruisers with long range strike capabilities and command ship facilities.
Expected delivery is 2033 (1st unit) and 2035 (2nd unit).


In Italy we don't really like the size of this new class, i think way too big. But if the navy wants them, I guess they know better.

SolarisKenzo said:

IIn Italy we don't really like the size of this new class, i think way too big. But if the navy wants them, I guess they know better.

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New generation destroyer designs from several navies seem to favour displacements in the 13,000-15,000 ton range. More room for missiles and power generation for future lasers and maybe rail guns.

John Fedup said:

New generation destroyer designs from several navies seem to favour displacements in the 13,000-15,000 ton range. More room for missiles and power generation for future lasers and maybe rail guns.

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People must be very confident of their A.S.W , it seems to be putting all the eggs in one basket ,I would like to know what other choices were considered