The PPA Programme
is an innovative Multipurpose Patrol Ship Programme for Italy. PPA
characteristics meet the Italian concept of “Multi-Purpose by Design”, a model,
shared with the NATO Community, that will allow these ships to be able to cope
with dynamic and complex scenarios, as well as to carry out many profiles of
operations. These units, fully interoperable with NATO and EU partners, will be
more versatile than the present generation of ships, benefiting from an
extensive use of the modularity concept. They are conceived, since the
beginning of the design phase, with enhanced “dual use” features, fit for all
military tasks and able to intervene also during peace time, supporting humanitarian,
disaster relief and anti-pollution operations, through new modular capabilities.
The PPA will have a
smaller environmental footprint, by further reducing the polluting emissions,
also by adopting new generation bio fuel and electric propulsion. Some
characteristics deserve a special mention: high flexibility and level of
innovation, very high speed, long endurance, resilience and seaworthiness,
maneuverability, modularity, high level of integration and automation, in other
words better suited to face the challenges of the 21st century. PPAs will be
able to be rapidly deployed at long distances in a broad spectrum of emergency
situations, becoming the backbone of the Italian Navy. The PPA Programme
includes Development and Production of seven (7) ships and the In-Service Support for
ten years. Based on a common platform, PPAs will be delivered in three
configurations with incremental capabilities:
· LIGHT
(2 ships): this version has a complete set of artillery;
· LIGHT
PLUS (3 ships): version similar to ‘LIGHT’ but adds a missile firing capability
with actuators planned also for ballistic missile defence; and
· FULL
(2 ships): able to carry out tasks in all warfare areas such as Anti-Air (AAW),
Anti-Surface (ASuW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
LIGHT and LIGHT
PLUS versions have been developed with the “fitted for” approach: LIGHT or
LIGHT PLUS versions can easily be upgraded to FULL configuration, facilitating
growing capabilities during the vessel’s life.
The Programme was
integrated into OCCAR in 2015 and it is currently in the production phase. The
First of Class (FOC) “Paolo Thaon di Revel”, in LIGHT configuration, was
launched on 15 June 2019 and was delivered on 18 March 2022.
The second vessel,
“Francesco Morosini”, launched on 15 May 2020, was delivered on 22 October
2022.
The third vessel, “Raimondo Montecuccoli”, launched on 13 March 2021 was
delivered on 27 September 2023.
All the three ships are now under the
contractual in-service support phase. Four more ships will be delivered by
2026, the first of which in full configuration (FOC F) will be delivered in
2024.
The PPA Programme
has been conceived on a Through Life Management TLM principle. Thus, the
Programme was developed with an Integrated Logistic Support approach, including
the Temporary Support definition since its beginning.
All Images Copyright: Marina Militare Italiana
PPA Participating State
