Published on the Italian MoD website and presented three weeks later by the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, during the Parliament’s joint defence committees hearing on 7 November, the DPP 2023-2025 highlights for the Ministry of Defence €27.74 billions spending resources which reach €30.75 billions with fundings coming from the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MiMiT), alongside with the international operations law. An increment compared to 2022 but not enough as per the committed roadmap to achieve spending for defence equal to 2% of GDP by 2028 (vs 1.38% of 2023), underlined the Minister of Defence.
“A balanced, flexible, sustainable air-naval instrument, capable of having a clear and updated picture of the maritime situation (Maritime Situational Awareness and Underwater Situational Awareness) to then be shared at joint force, inter-agency and inter-ministerial level through the achievement of the full operational capability of the Integrated Inter-ministerial Maritime Surveillance System (DIISM),” is key for the Italian MoD to safeguard the national boundaries and strategic interests on the sea and under it, according to the new DPP 2023-25.
Among the new programmes which are launched to achieve these goals in the changing worldwide geostrategic scenarios, the DPP 2023-25 highlights increasing attention towards the underwater dimension with the project to enforce the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through emerging and disruptive technologies, with specific reference to the robotics and unmanned systems.
The Italian MoD is looking to acquire new large autonomous underwater vehicles (LAUVs) with extended endurance, without providing details, through a multi-year programme with an overall budget request of €254.3 million in 13 years of which €6 million has been already allocated for year 2023 and 2034 with €3 million each (referring to the MoD ordinary and national law budget fundings with indication of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MiMiT), when are provided by the latter or jointly). The underwater U212 NFS manned platforms programme registered in June 2023 the OCCAR contract award to Fincantieri for the 3rd U212 NFS, while additional funding (also from MiMiT) to extend the new platforms’ in-service/logistic support to 2040 has been allocated to the programme in the latest planning document.
The DPP 2023-2025 also highlighted the need to enforce the maritime patrol and counter-mine warfare capabilities including the use of unmanned systems, and the strengthening of anti-submarine capabilities, “through detection and engagement systems, including deep ones”.
The Italian MoD’s Naval Armament Directorate has recently awarded Orizzonte Sistemi Navali joint-venture between Fincantieri and Leonardo the contract for the design, delivery and in-service support of the first three new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) plus options for additional three platforms, while the more capable Comandanti-class ships will be replaced by the Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette (MMPC)/European Patrol Corvette (EPC) platforms programme with Italy as lead Nation and managed by OCCAR. The latter agency has recently awarded the first phase of the programme to the MMPC industrial consortium with Naviris joint venture as coordinator.
The same document also unveils the launch of a development and procurement programme for new aerial unmanned platforms to be embarked on ships for extending the patrolling capabilities and reducing the burden on manned airborne platforms, requesting €191.7 million of which €21.6 million already allocated for 2023-24 period.
The two under-construction FREMMs have been provided with a full ASW suite in addition to ASuW capabilities and the two new generation FREMM EVO (Evolution) whose development will be discussed below, are expected to follow, Naval News understood. The Italian Navy is also enforcing the seabed warfare capabilities provided by the mine warfare command.
The programme for the new generation MCMVs including both coastal- and larger ocean-operating platforms equipped with a range of aerial, surface and underwater vehicles, and currently involved in the pre-feasibility and risk-reduction studies phase has earned about €471 million in funding with the new DPP, an important signal towards the design and procurement contract for the smaller MCMVs in 2024, the ocean platforms to follow later on.
The Italian Navy is also enlarging its fleet of unmanned underwater vehicles for seabed warfare operations. The DPP 2023-2025 also highlights the ongoing procurement programme for a new platform dealing with mines/explosive devices and other seabed objects recovery and/or neutralization (UBoS, Unità navale per Bonifiche Subacquee) to be assigned to the COMSUBIN (Comando Subacquei e Incursori) Diving and Special Operations Command (€70 millions of which 64.6 allocated from 2026).
Surface combatant component and deep precision strike
In addition to the Horizon/Doria-class Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU), the new DPP 2023-2025 adds funding for new and present surface combatants programme, including evolved FREMMs, the AAW/Strike destroyers (DDX) and the PPAs (Pattugliatori Polivalenti d’Altura) with fundings from MiMiT and MoD.
The €1.15 billion Doria-class MLU contract includes a complete renewed platform systems package and a more powerful combat and weapons suite, including a new air surveillance and defence system collectively called PAAMS & LRR (Principal Anti-Air Missile System & Long-Range Radar) and based on the PAAMS NG (New Generation) air defence missile system with Aster 30 family including the under development anti-ballistic Block 1NT version and Leonardo Kronos Grand Naval 3D multifunction AESA radar, alongside Thales Nederland SMART-L MM/N as AESA Long-Range Radar (LRR) and other new sensors such as the new EW suite from SIGEN consortium (ELT & Thales), all managed by Leonardo SADOC 4 combat management system.
FREMM EVO
In addition to the extension of the in-service/logistic support to 2040 for the FREMM component, Naval News understood the €60 million funding has been allocated for the feasibility and risk-reduction studies regarding two new generation platforms called FREMM EVO (Evolution) equipped with technologies and latest AAW/ASuW fixed-face array sensors developed for PPAs, in addition to new capabilities. Being in the platform and combat system configuration definition phase, the DDX programme for two AAW/Strike destroyers (plus an additional two in the future) gained additional funding (€205 million for a total of €2.35 billion), preparing itself for the design and shipbuilding contract award which could arrive in 2024. Delivery was planned in the 2029-2031 timeframe. The PPA programme has also received additional funding for the in-service/logistic support extension to 2040 and is preparing itself to put the base for the upgrading of the two PPA Lights in Full configuration.
Weapon systems
The new Italian MoD multi-year planning document also emphasises the need to enforce the deep strike capabilities of the Italian Armed Forces. At joint level, the Future Cruise and Anti-ship Weapon/Futur Missile Anti-Navire/Futur Missile de Croisière (FC/ASW-FMAN/FMC) programme is among new ones launched in 2023 with the signature last June of the letter of intents (LoI) for the participation of Italy. According to the same document the availability of the anti-ship and strike capabilities are respectively indicated from 2034 and 2028. The programme is currently in the assessment phase (2022-2024) to be followed by the demonstration and manufacture phase (2025-2035), which funding requests are not defined yet due to the participation sharing agreement being under discussion with the joining of Italy. The Italian MoD has so far put aside €150 millions of which 10 already available.
In the meantime, as the under development Teseo Mk2/E is primary dedicated to anti-ship missions, the Italian MoD highlighted the need to acquire a deep-strike capability, “which in the short term could be provided by systems already in service with other countries, such as the French MBDA Missile de Croisière Naval (MdCN).” The antiship capabilities will be further enhanced in the medium term with the programme for the development, industrialization and qualification of a customized version of the MBDA Marte ER for heliborne (NH90 and EH101) applications, in addition to ten-year support for which €104 millions have been allocated against an overall €390 millions budget request.
The DDP 2023-25 also highlights the investments to increase the inventory of munitions/armaments, “with particular reference to the battle decisive munitions,” which would represent a key funding reversal compared to the past and a must in the new geostrategic contest, if sufficient funding are being added. In addition to the DART guided and Vulcano long-range guided/unguided ammunitions which production contracts have been awarded in the last three years alongside decoys for ship self-protection, €556 millions in 13 years have been allocated for the armament and self-protection to equip the in-service and under delivery F-35B STOVL aircraft, alongside additional funding to ammunitions inventories not specified.
The Italian MoD also aims to the enforcement of the air and missile defence with the already awarded joint procurement for new missiles, the mid-life refurbishment of in-service munitions and the on-going development, qualification and procurement of the Aster 30 Block 1NT anti-ballistic missile and emerging threats version (with both MoD and MiMiT fundings). The Maritime Theatre Missile Defence Forum (MTMDF) multinational initiative’s programmes are continuously funded within the NATO Ballistic Missile Defence.
The document also refers to an anti-drone capability. It is the first time the Italian MoD officially highlights the latter need for a naval application in the planning document and in general, without providing details on how it will be addressed and related funding.
Amphibious, logistic support, hydrographic and specialized platforms
With the need to support the Italian Amphibious Task Group (IT – ATG) and its Littoral Expeditionary Group (LEG) iteration in NATO/UE ambits, the Italian Navy is preparing itself for the phase-in of Trieste LHD which delivery is expected in spring 2024 to substitute the Garibaldi. The latest Italian MoD’s DPP puts in evidence the programme for the replacement of the three San Marco/San Giusto 8,000 tonnes LPDs. Currently in the latter stage of the preliminary design phase launched in 2022, with the new planning document the LXD programme is gaining €1.2 billion funding for the design and shipbuilding of the first two new ships, which contract could be awarded in 2024 for a delivery in the 2028-2030 timeline.
These are around 16,500 tonnes LPDs with a rear well deck capable to accommodate two LC 23 heavy landing craft for battle tanks or more vehicles transfer to land, and flight deck with multiple helicopter spots alongside extensive garage and personnel accommodations providing a significant enforcement to current amphibious capacities in addition to new surveillance and combat capabilities. These ships will also be capable to deploy the new VBA (Veicolo Blindato Anfibio) amphibious armoured vehicle to replace the AAV-7 family of platforms, which procurement contract for the first 36 vehicles was assigned to Iveco IDV in late 2022 for initial deliveries in 2025.
Studies with a €4.9 budget are being launched in 2023 for the development of a multi-mission, multi-sensor suite to be based on a naval platform for data and electronic signals collection at strategic level (J3MS, Joint Maritime Multi-Mission System) to be integrated into a joint C4I architecture and expected to replace the in-service Elettra platform.
The logistic support ships component will also be strengthened as the Vulcano-class ships procurement programme sees the second platform to be delivered in 2025 to be followed by two additional ships, the fourth being added (MiMiT fundings) with the new DPP together with funding for the in-service/logistic support until 2040. A service life extension of Etna platform is also planned.
The Italian MoD is also replacing the older Anteo submarine rescue ship and Magnaghi hydro-oceanographic vessel with respectively the SDO-SuRS (Special & Diving Operations – Submarine Rescue Ship) platform with both special forces and underwater operations/submarine rescue ship capabilities and the NIOM (Nave Idro-Oceanografica Maggiore) platform capable to conduct both hydro-oceanographic and security/defence missions. Both are planned to be delivered in 2026. The NIOM will be sided by two new hydro-oceanographic coastal platforms (Nuove unità Idro-Oceanogeafiche Costiere, NIOC) programme which could reach the contract award in 2024/2025.
The auxiliary ship component sees a complete renewal programme for a total of 14 vessels of which 10 will replace the Gorgona- and Ponza-class coastal transport, resupply and light house support platforms (MTC/MTF) while four will be dedicated to the navigation and ship handling training of Naval Academy frequenters (TIRMA). The Italian MoD’s NAVARM has already launched separate tenders for the first two MTC/MTF platforms and the four TIRMA vessels. With a separate programme, the Italian Navy is also working to replace its fleet of dated harbour and ocean tugs alongside barges, having already awarded the contract for the first batch of four tugs.
Special and amphibious forces, Naval Aviation
The last DPP continues to support the enforcement of naval special operations forces (Gruppo Operativo Incursori) part of the COMSUBIN command with funding for the renewal or new equipment, weapons and crafts as well as training, including a new floating training area to replace current decommissioned vessel used for rehearsal and training activities.
On parallel, the Italian MoD is continuing the upgrading and enforcement of the San Marco amphibious brigade, alongside the already mentioned new amphibious armoured vehicles (VBAs) and the in-service ones upgrade, as well as the procurement of new raiding crafts.
In addition to the already mentioned new aerial unmanned platforms procurement programme, which follows the delivered Boeing Insitu ScanEagles, the DPP 2023-2025 registers additional funding (MiMiT) for the in-service and logistic support of the recently completed NHIndustries NH90 helicopters fleet including 46 SH-90s for ASW/ASuW and 10 MH-90s for amphibious/special forces missions as well as for the EH-101 in-service/logistic support and mid-life update programme.
The planning document also continues to fund the joint procurement programme for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II of which 15 F-35B STOVL aircraft are being procured and delivered to the Italian Navy.
Training and infrastructures
The DDP 2023-25 gives attention to the neglected mix of ashore and at-sea training needs with a programme for the development of an open, modular, resilient and secure federated training system, aimed at connecting simulation tools with real systems ashore and on-board, using reproductions of synthetic scenarios highly representative of the operational contexts. The Italian MoD has put aside €120 millions for the project of which only €8 millions allocated for the 2023-2025 period.
Another forlorn sector which is being finally considered regards the renewal of the naval bases and arsenal infrastructures and services. The so-called “Blu bases” programme is focused on the modernization of the berth infrastructures and connected services to provide a naval bases’ improved logistic support. The overall programme will require €1.76 billions of which €559,4 already allocated on a 13 years timeline plus additional €203 million coming from other ministerial funding. The programme for the renewal of naval arsenals in terms of infrastructures, fleet maintenance and support equipment adds €233 millions of which €143,7 millions already allocated (13 years) to the on-going “Brin Plan” programme.
Longer-term programmes
The DPP 2023-2025 provides an updated overview of the future programmes, including the requested but postponed Maritime Multi-Mission Aircraft (M3A) for a long-range ASuW/ASW platform, a Long Range Submarine Support Ship (LRSSS) and a Mine Countermeasures Command & Support Ship (MCCS), the J3MS platform already mentioned, the mid-life upgrade of Cavour aircraft carrier and the MMPC/EPC alongside the completion of Future Combat Naval System (FCNS), LAUV and other already above reported programmes.
