As the name suggests, what Fincantieri offers is not a new design or completely new ship but an enhanced version of the PPA light, and light plus currently in service with the Italian Navy. This evolution was made possible thanks to the feedback given by the Marina Militare and to adapt the PPA concept to emerging threats. For the record, three ships (2 light and 1 light plus) were already commissioned by Italy out of the seven initially ordered.
This version extremely modular and versatile is announced as a swiss knife and is supposed to meet harder threats faced during operations and cope with future ones in taking more account more of underwater, anti-air, and anti-drone warfare.
The PPA evo weaponery should be strongly reinforced with the installation of up to 64 vertical launcher systems – probably a mix of A50s and A70s, 8 anti-ship missiles in addition to the two 76mm guns placed on the front deck and above the helicopter hangar. For secondary guns, 30/40mm CIWS placed on each side of the upper deck and torpedo tubes, probably for MU90s, will complete this big configuration. The ship can accommodate 2 helicopters: 1 EH101 from Leaonardo and 1 NH90 or 2 NH90s as well as small-sized UAVs for reconnaissance. To detect and counter unmanned systems, the Omega360 radar and direct energy weapon (DEW) will be fitted. Specifically for ASW, a variable depth sonar (VDS) can be fitted as option and torpedo decoy launching system for self-protection is not forgotten.
As previously said, Fincantieri has focused on the modularity of the the PPA evo with more configuration available than the light and the light plus versions. Indeed, UUVs, ROVs, USVs could be accommodated and deployed thanks to the adaptable mission bays on the sides of the ship and at the stern. The stern bay has 2 compartments that can be arranged in different configurations in addition to the ramp meant for the deployment of RHIBs for special forces or USVs. Those 2 can be fitted with modular containers in which we can find the VDS for example.
At a time where lead time for ship building has become a main criteria, Fincantieri will pre-outfit and pre-condition the equipment fitted into the mast in a similar way what French shipbuilder Naval Group did with its PSIM mast on FDI frigates. The Italian company announced a rough overall lead time of 48-50 month from the first steel cutting until the delivery.
As already reported by Naval News, Fincantieri sold two PPAs currently under different stage of outfitting and trials to Indonesia, originally destined to the Italian Navy: Marcantonio Colonna (P 433) and Ruggiero di Lauria (P 435), but for now transformation into PPA evo is not planned. To replace the two vessels, the Italian Navy should receive 2 new PPAs in the 2.0 standard instead. The final configuration of the latter was not announced though. Otherwise, for export, Fincantieri looks at “mature navies” without further precision and is subject to geopolitical aleas.
Vessel’s characteristics: PPA – Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship
The multipurpose offshore patrol vessel is a highly flexible ship with the capacity to serve multiple functions, ranging from patrol with sea rescue capacity to Civil Protection operations and, in its most highly equipped version, first-line fighting vessel. There will be indeed different configurations of combat system: starting from a “soft” version for the patrol task, integrated for self-defence ability, to a “full” one, equipped for a complete defence ability. The vessel is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to 11 meters long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.
• 143 meters long overall
• Speed more than 32 knots according to vessel configuration and operational conditions
• Crew of about 170 persons
• Equipped with a combined diesel, a gas turbine plant (CODAG) and an electric propulsion system
• Capacity to supply drinking water to land
