Naviris and Navantia to conduct EPC studies
Naviris (the 50:50 JV between Fincantieri and Naval Group) and Navantia have signed an MoU in connection with the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) programme.
Both parties announced that they will ‘act in a fully coordinated way’ with Fincantieri and Naval Group by conducting a series of design studies for EPC, which is envisaged to be 100m long with 3,000t displacement.
‘The studies could potentially benefit from European Union and national funds and will include a large part of R&D leading to innovative solutions for making easier the co-development and interoperability, the efficiency of the vessels in operations and digital data management,’ Naviris and Navantia noted in a joint statement on 11 February.
To date, France, Italy (as project coordinator), Spain and Greece have signed up for the EPC, which is designated as a key programme within the EU Permanent Structured Cooperation framework and has the backing of the European Defence Agency.
The EPC is intended to replace to replace several classes of ships, from patrol vessels to light frigates, from 2027.
‘The design requirements for these vessels, with a clear objective of commonality of solutions and modularity for adaptation to national requirements, are expected from the [participating] navies in 2021,’ Naviris and Navantia added.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
European Patrol Corvette (EPC)/Buques de Protección Marítima (BPM) [Spain]
More from Naval Warfare
-
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
-
Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.
-
Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand
Ukrainian intelligence has catalogued more than 20 Russian uncrewed surface vessels, revealing a portfolio weighted towards mine warfare and logistics, with implications for Western naval investment.
-
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.