Bonn, Germany – 12 June 2026 – At the OCCAR-EA Central Office in Bonn, the Director of OCCAR-EA, Mr Joachim Sucker, on behalf of the Italian Participating State in the FREMM Programme, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), as Prime Contractor, represented by the CEO, Mr. Giovanni Sorrentino, signed Amendment No.1 to the TLSM2 (Through Life Sustainment Management 2) contract. The event was attended by OCCAR Head of Programmes Mr Darren Ash, Programme Manager Mr Lorenzo Raciti and Team members of both OSN and OCCAR.

This amendment represents a key milestone in ensuring the continuity and strengthening of in-service support for the Italian FREMM frigates, confirming OCCAR’s central role in the long-term sustainment management of one of the most important naval capability programmes in Europe. Building on the TLSM2 contract signed in Taranto in June 2025, the amendment reinforces the solid cooperation between OCCAR, the Italian Navy, and industry.

The current TLSM2 contract provides In-Service Support activities for a wide range of industrial partners. With this amendment, in-service support for the FREMM Italian fleet is ensured until 31 December 2030, in both the Combat System and Platform System domains. This harmonisation of contract durations across all stakeholders ensures a consistent and uninterrupted support framework for the Italian FREMM fleet, enhancing operational availability and long-term planning efficiency.

The extension of the TLSM2 contract reflects the continued confidence of the Italian Participating State in OCCAR’s ability to manage complex In-Service Support activities. It also highlights the maturity of the collaborative framework established between OCCAR, the Italian Navy and the supporting industrial base, ensuring high standards of performance, reliability and availability for the FREMM frigates.

Since their entry into service, FREMM-class ships have proven to be a cornerstone of the Italian Navy fleet, combining advanced technological capabilities with operational flexibility. The sustained effort in maintaining and upgrading these platforms demonstrates the long-term commitment of all stakeholders to preserving and enhancing this strategic capability.

The signature of Amendment No.1 therefore represents not only a contractual extension, but a further step in consolidating an effective and forward-looking support model for the Italian FREMM fleet, fully aligned with OCCAR’s Through Life Management principles.

To date, 18 FREMM frigates have been delivered, ten to Italy (out of twelve) and eight to France (out of eight).

The development and production phase of two additional FREMM ships in EVO-lution version for Italy is underway. These two additional ships will be delivered in mid-2029 and mid-2030, respectively.

In parallel, the integration of Portugal into the FREMM Programme is currently ongoing. Portugal has expressed the requirement to acquire three FREMM frigates in the EVO configuration, together with the associated support services and facilities to be developed in the coming years.

FREMM class ships have been in development and production for more than 20 years, and this represent in real terms the EU naval programme with the greatest success both from a technical and from an operational point of view and is therefore continuing to receive expression of interest from other EU and non-EU countries.