Rome 31 July , 2024 - The OCCAR-EA Director, Mr. Joachim Sucker, signed, on behalf of Italy and France, the FREMM Contract Amendment Nr. 26 with the FREMM Industries Orizzonte Sistemi Navali represented by CEO Mr. Giovanni Sorrentino and Naval Group FREMM Programme Director Mr Nicola Gaspard. The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino and the Italian Programme Committee Representative Vice Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte.
This new Amendment integrates the production of two new FREMM ships in Evolution configuration, the so-called FREMM EVO and includes the procedures for the French Contractor to terminate the Contract. In fact, at the end of 2024 Naval Group will complete the activities for the French Units and after many years of outstanding achievements will terminate the Contract.
At this stage, 16 out of a total of 18 FREMM Frigates have been delivered, eight for Italy (out of ten) and eight for France (out of eight). The last two Italian ships will be delivered by the end of 2025, which will close a significant chapter that has spanned almost 20 years.
The two new FREMM EVO ships will be delivered by June 2029 and June 2030.
Participating State Representatives outlined the outstanding achievements of the FREMM Programme and the highly performing management provided by OCCAR, as well as the close cooperation between the two Nations. The successful cooperation among OCCAR, DGA (French Armament General Directorate), SEGREDIFESA, NAVARM and the relevant Navies General Staffs allowed all stakeholders to achieve these significant results in a relatively short period.
OCCAR has been addressed by thanks for the remarkable work, so far done, highlighting the effective and proactive approach during the complex and very tight negotiation phases to integrate the production of the two FREMM EVO ships into the FREMM Contract, as well as the effort done to work in strict relationship with both the Nations’ Representatives and the Industrial ones as a “unique team” led to these prestigious successes. Such results foster the close relationship among Nations such as in this case Italy and France.