Paris/France – Euronaval – 5 November 2024 - The OCCAR HORIZON Programme Manager, Mr. Luigi Durante, signed, on behalf of Italy, the order for the activation of a key option foreseen in the FREMM Contract.
This step will launch a feasibility study for integrating the Naval Cruise Missile (NCM) System and developing the "deep strike" capability on Italian FREMM ships. This agreement was signed with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, represented by Mr. Davide Traverso, that will be fully supported by MBDA for the achievement of the milestone. The event was attended by the Chief of the Italian Navy, Enrico Credendino, Vice Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director of the Naval Armaments Directorate and Italian Programme Committee representative, General Gaël Diaz de Tuesta from DGA and Mr. Giovanni Soccodato from MBDA.
This milestone reflects the Italian MoD and Italian Navy’s ongoing commitment to exploring the addition of deep strike capabilities for this class of new frigates. The two FREMM EVO ships, with these potential upgrades, are scheduled for delivery by June 2029 and June 2030.
OCCAR has played a vital role in facilitating this progress, supporting cooperation and capability exchange between Italy and France. The FREMM Program’s success showcases how OCCAR fosters collaboration, joining national defense bodies like France´s DGA, the Italian MoD (General Defense Secretariat and Naval Armament Directorate) and the two Navies. This cooperation between Italy and France within the OCCAR framework highlights the benefits of multinational collaboration in defense, achieving advanced defense capabilities in a relatively short timeframe.
Read more on the FREMM Programme here: OCCAR - HORIZON MLU/FREMM - MULTI MISSION FRIGATES