Among the largest programmes being launched by the new Defence planning document, together with the requests for new generation main battle tanks and armoured tracked vehicles, is the enforcement of the national 5th generation aircraft expeditionary component with the multi-year procurement of ten additional Lockheed Martin STOVL F-35Bs to be equally divided between the Italian Navy and Air Force, and the empowering of the Italian Navy surface fleet with the procurement and in-service support programme for the two FREMM EVO, additional funding for the new guided-missile destroyers (DDX), studies for the submarine fleet’s U212A mid-life upgrade (MLU) and Batch IV Sauro-class service life extension (SLE), alongside the procurement of new ASW/ASuW aerial platforms under the Maritime Multi-Mission Aircraft (M3A) programme.
More F-35B for Italian Navy and Air Force
Having already acquired and putting into service 15 F-35Bs each for the Italian Navy and Air Force, with the new DPP, the Italian MoD has allocated new funding for the planned procurement of an additional 10 aircraft (5 for each service), taking the total to 40 STOVL aircraft. The joint Air Force/Navy F-35Bs expeditionary force comes under the Armed Forces Joint Operational Command (COVI) and air force or navy control depending on F-35Bs land- or sea-based operations.
The joint sea-based expeditionary force recently obtained the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) as part of the on-going Indo-Pacific Italian Carrier Strike Group (IT CSG) deployment centred on the Cavour aircraft carrier, which air group includes 8 F-35B (plus 7 AV-8Bs) respectively provided by the Navy (6 a/c) and the Air Force (2 a/c). This in addition to 15 additional conventional take-off F-35As for the Air Force for a new 5th generation component of 115 aircraft (vs current 90). The Italian MoD requests EUR7 billion funding for the new aircraft and logistic support of which EUR1.8 billion allocated in the 2024-26 timeframe.
The enlarging JSF programme also covers the Italian Navy’s full establishment of Grottaglie naval air station near Taranto (home of GRUPAER, the only Naval Aviation fixed-wing unit) and the LHD Trieste, the latter to be delivered soon in November, as respectively main site and additional platform for the 5th generation STOVL aircraft. The programme for the LHD Trieste modification and equipment as ‘an alternate carrier vessel in case of Cavour carrier unavailability,’ is under Parliament approval with contract expected to be award in 2025, Naval News understood, and activities which could be launched with LHD warranty dock activities. The DPP also confirms funding for a significant wartime air-launched weapon package including air-to-air, air-to-ground, missiles, training equipment for the Italian Navy’s F-35Bs, further enhancing the sea-based expeditionary capabilities.
New maritime patrol aircraft
Another key programme announced by the new DPP is the long waited procurement of new long-range platforms under the joint Navy/Air Force Maritime Multi-Mission Aircraft (M3A) effort, as a replacement for the Atlantic Breguet 1, which last platform was retired in 2017. The programme received an initial funding of 560 million but it will be launched only after the 2024-26 budget period. The M3A will have to satisfy a long-range ASW, ASuW and ISTAR/EW requirement with six new platforms, according to latest Italian MoD plans, to replace the shorter-range and not ASW equipped P-72A aircraft, which was acquired as a gap filler but providing an invaluable maritime surveillance capability. According to the DPP the initial funding is for two new platforms.
Countering emerging threats
The latest threats to counter and lessons learned in operational missions and crisis situations such as in the Red and Black Seas have triggered the launch of a maritime counter unmanned air system (C-UAS) capability. This includes both conventional and direct energy weapons with a request of EUR194 million of which 80 already allocated in the 2024-29 timeframe. The Italian Navy also wants to enhance its cyber defence capabilities with a EUR90 million multi-year programme of which 19 already allocated (2024-29). In the meantime, another key requirement is a distributed digital training network in order to provide the highest representative synthetic scenarios, connecting both simulators and real systems. An initial contract is expected very soon with 121 million set aside for the programme.
Underwater domain
With the new DPP, the Italian MoD also launched an R&D programme for the so-called emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT) in the underwater domain, consisting of studies to explore the UUVs capabilities in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sector, through the use of customizable modules. The Defence has also relaunched what is expected to be a national industry driven programme to develop a family of large autonomous underwater vehicles (LAUV) to conduct ASW, surveillance and data collection operations in support of force projection from the sea. The same previous binational effort which was cancelled in 2023, was requesting 254.3 million over a 13-year timeframe. With an another effort, the new DPP launches the programme for the development of an integrated system to ensure the protection and surveillance of underwater infrastructures, of which the first spiral regards the renewal of the survey capabilities with UUVs.
With the establishment of the Underwater National Cluster or PNS (Polo Nazionale della Subacquea) in December 2023 under the lead of Italian Navy, putting together industries, academia, research, governmental and military players, Italy has launched an overall strategy to deal with underwater infrastructures protection, with coordinated R&D activities.
The current underwater manned component was also allocated the initial funding (90 million) for the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the four U212A Todaro-class and the service life extension (SLE) of the two Sauro-class fourth batch submarines, while continuing to support the two Sauro-class third batch boats. The new DPP has also set aside 45 million for the MLU of the Etna replenishment vessel. The launch of both this and the submarines renewal activities are planned to be launched after the 2024-26 period.
In addition to the enforcement of the naval fixed-wing capabilities, after completing the deliveries of the NHIndustries NH90 platforms in the ASW/AsuW and transport/amphibious support in September 2023, the Italian Navy is strongly pursuing the in-service support and up-to-date projects for these helicopters and the EH-101 fleet. The latter platform is the focus of an extended MLU programme, which has received additional funding although no information were provided on its timeframe. The unmanned aerial platforms are also the focus of a multi-phase procurement programme encompassing additional funding from 2024, starting with procurement of Boeing Insitu ScanEagle systems and their on-going integration on FREMM platforms, to be followed by Leonardo AWHero for other classes of vessels, and hybrid VTOL platforms.
New surface ships
The new DPP also confirmed the 2 billion funding for the procurement and in-service and logistic support of the two FREMM EVO provided by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali joint venture between Fincantieri and Leonardo, under a contract assigned in July 2024. The two platforms will be equipped with the same combat system’s CMS, sensors suite centered on the Leonardo DBR (Dual Band Radar) and missile weapons of the Full-configured PPA (better known as Multi-purpose Combat Ships, MCS) and LHD Trieste. Being the first vessels for the Italian Navy to be equipped with an enhanced EW suite by ELT Group including counter UAS capabilities, these platforms will add to the ten frigates of which the last two are to be delivered in 2025, enlarging the fleet of escorting vessel equipped for ASW operations.
Additional funding are also allocated to the new generation OPV & MMPC (Offshore Patrol Vessel & Multi-Modular Patrol Corvette) and MCMV programmes. The first regards both the OPV (PPX), of which the first four (out of six) are funded and steel cutting was celebrated in September 2024 for the first vessel, and MMPC platforms, which international programme is managed by OCCAR. In late July 2024, NAVARM has awarded an industrial consortium led by Intermarine and including Leonardo, a 1.6 billion contract for the procurement of five 1,300 tonnes composite materials-made New Generation MCMVs to carry a tool box of unmanned systems. The deal also includes undisclosed options for 1 billion, which Naval News understood refers to three additional platforms of the same type. The overall MCMV programme includes four additional vessels for a total of 12, for which no details have been provided. In the meantime, the service has completed the in-service Gaeta-class MCMV MLU while providing enhanced seabed warfare capabilities with the procurement of additional HUGIN 3000 AUVs in a containerized solution to be integrated on the MCMVs and potentially other platforms.
The OCCAR-managed PPA/MSC programme, according to the DPP, was provided funding to upgrade the in-service vessels to the two Full-configured platforms, of which the first was delivered in October 2024. NAVARM has launched a technological upgrade called PPA 2.0 without providing additional information, and the extension of the support activities to the year 2040.
The Italian MoD is also continuing to support the development of the Horizon MLU programme for the two Doria-class AAW (anti-air warfare) destroyers and its PAAMS NG (New Generation) area defence missile system based on the MBDA Aster Block 1NT and new sensors alongside platform systems, in addition to the development and procurement of next generation AAW destroyers under the DDX programme for a total of four vessels, with further additional funding.
Naval News understood the DDX programme will be launched in the remaining months of 2024, starting with studies on key technological developments, while the contract for the development and production of the new platform, which design has evolved more recently based on latest operations and threats, is expected to be awarded in 2025. They will replace the two aging Admiral-class platforms of which the first-of-class Luigi Durand de la Penne was retired in September 2024. In the meantime, the two PPA/MSC Full with extended AAW capabilities can offer a replacement until the new DDXs will be available.
With all four U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) platforms under contract and the first two under construction under OCCAR management, the programme also surpassed another key milestone last June with the activation of the Engineering Change Proposal for the integration of a Lithium Battery System developed and built in Italy. As anticipated, NAVARM will launch the risk reduction studies for the U212A MLU and Fourth Batch Sauro-class boats in order to maintain an eight submarines fleet before expanding it with a larger platform, funding permitting.
In addition to the LHD Trieste, which is expected to be delivered this month (November 2024) is becoming the largest vessel to enter into service with Italian Navy, the DPP also highlights continue support for the new three LPDs to be designed and built under the LXD programme.
The Italia MoD and Navy continue to support the development of a deep strike alongside new antiship missile capabilities. Under a two-nation agreement, Italy looks to the further developments of French MBDA Naval Cruise Missile/Missile de Croisiére Naval (NCM/MdCN) weapon system for arming both surface and underwater platforms, while working to join the French-UK FC/ASW programme. In the meantime, Italian Navy is pursuing the MBDA Italy long-range Teseo Mk2E anti-ship/land-strike missile programme development alongside the Marte ER national version to be launched from NH90 and EH101 helicopters.
The Italian MoD is continuing the enhancement of in-service and the procurement of new Aster family weapons including the Block 1NT model and studying the potential integration of the MBDA Italy CAMM ER, already acquired by both the Air Force and Navy.
According to the DPP, a consistent budget has been put aside for the ammunitions and countermeasures replenishment alongside the procurement of additional batches of Vulcano 127 mm guided ammunitions while the 76 Vulcano is completing qualification.
While the first-of-class Vulcano Logistic Support Ship (LSS) has received the support extension to 2040, the DPP provides additional 500 million to the programme for a third LSS shipbuilding, alongside the already mentioned Etna MLU. The planning document provides additional funding to acquire key associated systems and support for the SDO-SuRS programme which regards a support vessel for special forces and divers in addition to submarines in distress rescue operations, to be delivered by T. Mariotti shipyard in 2026. On parallel, DRASS and Saipem are working to provide the complete submarine rescue deployable package including the new generation rescue vehicle. Additional funds were also provided for the completion of new hydro-oceanographic vessel (NIOM) equipment and support and the launch of the UBOS programme for the procurement of a new underwater ordnance clearance, bottom survey and materiel recovery vessel. While the NIOM is designed for hydro-oceanic research activities in the Mediterranean and Arctic regions, the latter platform together with SDO-SuRS and UBOS, are equipped to support underwater operations, expanding the fleet of platforms devoted to the surveillance and protection of national and exclusive zones waters and underwater infrastructures. However the Italian MoD and Navy are studying a new dedicated platform for this mission. The service is also supporting the enforcement of the special forces and divers units under the COMSUBIN command in addition to their support vessel renewal.
The DPP also highlights the joint programme between the Army and the Navy for the new 8×8 armoured amphibious vehicle or VBA (Veicolo Blindato Anfibio) based on the SUPERAV by IDV (Iveco Defence Vehicles) for the Navy’s San Marco Marine Brigade and the Army’s Lagunari regiment to replace the current AAV-7A1s and support the National Force Projection from the Sea. The first vehicle produced for the Italian Navy was presented to the service and the MoD’s Directorate for Land Armaments on 15 October.
At the same, upgrading activities are funded for the coastal network of radars and sensors mainly distributed along the southern maritime national borders.
Since the end of 2023, NAVARM has launched the renewal of the fleet of Coastal multirole Support Vessel with the procurement of the first two platforms which have a wide range of dual-use missions, alongside the first batch of four training boats for the Naval Academy, and the first tranche of four new tugboats.
The Italian MoD is also funding the support of both the fleets of in-service vessels and submarines providing additional 583 millions to current budget, as well as the infrastructures for operations, personnel accommodations, ships maintenance and harbouring, which are in high need of renewal to provide better service and accommodations for newest larger ships.
Longer-term programmes
The DPP 2024-2026 provides an updated overview of the programmes which need to be funded in the future, including the Maritime Multi-Mission Aircraft (M3A) for a long-range ASuW/ASW platform, midlife upgrade and new underwater platforms, Long Range Submarine Support Ship (LRSSS) and a Mine Countermeasures Command & Support Ship (MCCS), the Joint Maritime Multi-mission System (J3MS) platform for strategic intelligence data collection, the mid-life upgrade of Cavour aircraft carrier alongside the completion of Future Combat Naval System (FCNS) and the replacement of Esploratore-class patrol vessels deployed in support of ONU Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) in the Red Sea, together with the completion of above reported programmes.
In the meantime, another key requirement is a distributed digital training network in order to provide the highest representative synthetic scenarios, connecting both simulators and real systems. An initial contract was awarded to OSN on 22 October while 121 million were put aside for the whole programme.