A Contractual Integration to the PPA – Multipurpose Combat Ship program has been signed, aimed at upgrading the PPA-class vessels to the Full Combat System configuration. The Agreement was signed by the Director of OCCAR-EA and by Fulvio Palermo, Head of Project Management of Fincantieri’s Naval Vessels Division, representing the Temporary Consortium formed by Fincantieri and Leonardo. The agreement provides for the implementation of the necessary adaptation activities to enable the upgrade of PPA-class units from the “Light” and “Light Plus” configurations to the “Full Combat System” configuration, as well as the introduction of advanced capabilities in the cyber defense domain. For Fincantieri’s share, the overall value of the activities amounts to approximately €62 million. The activities, coordinated by Fincantieri, will involve both vessels already delivered and units currently under construction and outfitting, ensuring alignment of the entire PPA class with the most advanced operational configuration.
The Thaon di Revel class (also known as PPA for ‘Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura – Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel‘) is a class of frigate 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 and 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. European Patrol Corvette, a class of lighter ships built into an EU cooperation should complete the Italian Navy needs. The PPA – Multipurpose Combat Ship program represents a highly flexible type of vessel, designed according to a “fitted for” approach that enables the progressive integration of operational capabilities. These units are capable of performing a wide range of missions, from patrol duties with search and rescue capabilities to combat operations, thanks to a scalable combat system that evolves from lighter configurations to the full one.
With this initiative, Fincantieri further strengthens its role within the PPA program, reaffirming the Group’s positioning in the development and upgrade of highly complex, technologically advanced naval platforms, in line with the operational requirements of the Italian Navy. 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, ranging from patrol with sea rescue capacity to civil protection operations and, in its most highly equipped version, first line fighting vessel. In March 2024, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Fincantieri for the acquisition of two of the ships under construction for the Italian Navy. In June 2025, the Italian Navy ordered two ships to replace the ships sold to Indonesia, the ships are to be in light+ configuration.
