Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched the second multipurpose offshore patrol ship (Pattugliatori Polivalenti d’Altura) in the “light” configuration for the Italian Navy.
The launch of future Francesco Morosini (pennant number P431) took place at the shipbuilder’s Riva Trigoso shipyard in Muggiano on May 22, two months later than initially planned.
The ship was launched six months after the lead ship in the class, Paolo Thaon di Revel, started sea trials in November 2019. PPA 1 is expected to complete the sea trials in March 2021 and to be delivered to the Italian Navy in May 2021.
PPA vessels will be capable of executing a range of missions, from patrol with sea rescue capacity to combat tasks, thanks to three different configurations.
The “light” configuration for patrolling tasks contains basic self-defense capabilities, the “light+” adds the anti-air capabilities while the “full” version is capable of handling three-dimensional threats (air, surface and underwater).
The light version has a complete set of artillery and is developed with the “fitted for” approach that makes it able to quickly deploy growing operational capabilities. The light+ version adds the missile firing capability with actuators planned also for ballistic missile defense. The full version will be able to operate in every naval warfare domain, such as AAW, ASW and ASuW.
Italy has ordered the construction of seven PPA ships, with options for an additional three units. Fincantieri is currently working on four ships in the class.
