Construction of Italy's PPA begins

Construction of the Italian Navy's first multipurpose offshore patrol ship (PPA) has commenced at Fincantieri's shipyard in Muggiano, the company announced on 13 February.

This first of seven PPAs will be delivered in 2021. The vessels are being built as part of a wider programme to renew the Italian Navy's fleet that will also include the building of one multipurpose amphibious landing helicopter dock and one logistic support vessel.

The 132.5m PPA is a highly flexible ship with the capacity to serve multiple functions, ranging from patrol with sea rescue to civil protection and front line operations.

There will be different configurations of the vessel's combat system: a 'soft' self-defence version for patrol tasks, and a 'full' version equipped for complete defence. The vessel is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as rigid hull inflatable boats up to 11 metres long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp.

The PPAs will be built at the Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano. Following the first delivery in 2021 deliveries will take place in 2022, 2023, 2024 (two units), 2025 and 2026.