The €925 million contract will have options for a further three units, integrated logistics support, and infrastructural upgrades required for naval bases in Augusta, Cagliari, and Messina where the vessels will be based.

OSN will finalise the sub-contracts with Fincantieri and Leonardo, with a value respectively around €540 million and €255 million.

“The signing of this contract marks a significant achievement on a commercial level, given that the OPVs belong to the FCX family, the cornerstone of Fincantieri’s new global Defence offering,” said Fincantieri chief executive officer Pierroberto Folgiero.

“It also confirms the managerial capabilities of the group to take on the role of strategic partner to our Navy, one of the most advanced in the world.

“Last but not least, the program, through the relaunch of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, further strengthens our collaboration with Leonardo, allowing us to focus on our ship system integration expertise and, in a broader sense, reaffirming the value of our national economic system.”

The OPV program is designed to promote presence and surveillance, maritime surveillance, merchant traffic control, protection of lines of communication, exclusive economic zones, and against threats from marine pollution.

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The 95-metre, 2,300-tonne offshore patrol vessels will have capacity for 97 crew members and have capabilities to operate in a wide range of tactical scenarios and weather conditions.

In particular, each vessel will feature a “naval cockpit” allowing ship and aeronaval operations to be controlled by a pilot and copilot, who fulfil the duties of officer of the watch on the bridge and commander from the command bridge. The two operators will also have control over machinery, rudders, platform systems and the combat management system.

“This contract rewards and brings together the best of Italian technology,” said Leonardo chief executive officer Roberto Cingolani.

“Leonardo and Fincantieri, through OSN, are able to offer state-of the-art solutions for national security. This is the fruit of a solid and prospective synergy.

“The Navy is guaranteed the garrison of a long-term capability.”

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.