Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri officially delivered the final Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) / Thaon di Revel-class multipurpose offshore patrol vessel, Domenico Millelire (P436), to the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) during a ceremony at its Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia on September 24. High-level defense officials attended the event, including Commander in Chief of the Naval Fleet Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, Director of Naval Armaments (NAVARM) Chief Inspector Admiral Cristiano Nervi, and Joachim Sucker, Director of the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR). Top executive leadership from Fincantieri, led by Chairman Biagio Mazzotta and Chief Executive Officer Pierroberto Folgiero, formally received the military delegation.
The Domenico Millelire represents a key milestone in Rome’s broader fleet renewal plan managed under the auspices of OCCAR, designed to modernize the Italian Navy’s surface operational lines. The Thaon di Revel class is primarily tasked with replacing aging naval assets, including four Soldati-class light patrol frigates and eight Minerva-class corvettes, with initial procurement plans under the 2014 Naval Law encompassing up to 16 vessels. The PPA fleet will ultimately be complemented by smaller European Patrol Corvette (EPC) platforms currently under joint European procurement initiatives to fulfill Italy’s littoral and blue-water coverage requirements through 2035.
Designed with high operational adaptability, the 143-meter PPA platform features a modular combat architecture that enables roles ranging from basic maritime patrol and search-and-rescue (SAR) to high-intensity surface warfare. The vessels are constructed across three distinct configurations—’Light’, ‘Light Plus’, and ‘Full’—with the latter integrating complete air defense, anti-surface, and anti-submarine combat suites. Additional multi-mission utility is provided by an internal stern ramp and lateral cranes capable of deploying rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) up to 11 meters in length, alongside humanitarian aid features such as the capacity to supply potable drinking water to shore installations.
The platform is driven by a sophisticated Combined Diesel, Electric, and Gas (CODAG-E) propulsion system, enabling the 143-meter hull to exceed speeds of 31 knots in sprint configurations while maintaining low-speed electrical cruising efficiency. Operated by a core standard complement of 171 personnel, the vessel incorporates advanced automation to reduce crew workload while expanding payload flexibility. The integration of Domenico Millelire strengthens the Marina Militare’s force projection capabilities across the broader Mediterranean basin, providing a flexible surface combatant capable of seamless transition between civil protection missions and high-end military operations.
