The launching ceremony of the Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel “Domenico Millelire” – The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chief of the Italian Navy, Vice Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, by the Director of the Directorate of Naval Armament and Programme Committee Representative of the PPA Programme, Vice Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte and by the OCCAR-EA Deputy Director Mr. Massimo Scialpi. The Temporary Consortium between Fincantieri and Leonardo companies, responsible for the development and production of the seven (7) PPA ships, was represented by Fincantieri Naval Vessels BU Director Dr. Dario DESTE, along with senior managers of the two companies.
The Godmother of the launching ceremony was Gianfranca Millelirle, a direct descendant of Domenico. The ceremony involved the christening through the breaking of a bottle of champagne by the Godmother, as a symbolic gesture to bring good luck and safe travel to the vessel whilst at sea. Domenico Millelire (1761-1827), was an Italian patriot and Officer of the Royal Sardinian Navy. He was decorated with the Gold Medal of the Kingdom of Sardinia and is considered the first man awarded the first Gold Medal for Military Valour of the Italian Armed Forces.
The Thaon di Revel class (also known as PPA for ‘Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura – Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel‘) is a class of multipurpose offshore ships built by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy.
It is planned to replace four Soldati-class light patrol frigates and eight Minerva-class corvettes between 2021/2035. As part of the 2014 Naval Law, a total of sixteen ships were planned and as of 2019 seven vessels have been financed with three more on option, not executed. The class, designed with a high level of modularity and automation, is going to be delivered in a full, a light+ and a light configuration in terms of different sensors and equipment embarked and can perform multiple functions
European Patrol Corvette (a class of lighter ships built into an UE cooperation should complete the Italian Navy needs. Under the supervision of OCCAR-EA PPA Programme Division and the Italian Naval Armament Directorate, the seventh PPA is now ready to continue its technical activities. PPA vessels share a common platform, although they are built in three different configurations: LIGHT (two ships), LIGHT PLUS (three ships) and FULL (two ships). Domenico Millelire is the second PPA in Full configuration. PPA Domenico Millelire is planned to be delivered to the Italian Navy by the third quarter of 2026.
