The OCCAR FREMM Programme reached a major milestone today with the First Steel Cutting Ceremony for the Italian FREMM EVO Follow-On Ship (FOS) at the Fincantieri shipyard in Riva Trigoso.
The ceremony brought together senior representatives from national authorities, industry partners and international stakeholders, highlighting the continued progress of one of Europe’s most successful cooperative naval programmes.
Among the distinguished attendees were Vice Admiral Cristiano Nervi, Director of the Italian Naval Armament Directorate (NAVARM); Danila Altobelli, representing the Italian National Armament Directorate (NAD); Lorenzo Raciti, Programme Manager of the OCCAR Horizon Programme Division; and leading representatives from industry, including Giovanni Sorrentino, Chief Executive Officer of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, Eugenio Santagata, Director of Fincantieri’s Military Ships Division, Luca Gennaretti, Leonardo’s Senior Vice President for Land & Sea Sales, and Andrea Mattozzi, Leonardo’s Senior Vice President for Naval Systems.
The event was also attended by a Portuguese delegation led by Rear Admiral Antonio Mateus, Deputy Director of the Portuguese National Armament Directorate and Programme Board Representative. Portugal’s participation underscored the programme’s growing international dimension as the country moves forward with its integration into the FREMM Programme for the acquisition of three additional FREMM EVO frigates, together with associated logistic support services.
Portugal’s entry into the Programme marks a new phase of cooperation and further demonstrates the shared commitment of participating nations to developing advanced naval capabilities through collaborative defence initiatives.
This important milestone follows the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) in December 2025, which confirmed the maturity of the FREMM EVO design across all programme domains and formally authorised the transition to the production phase.
The steel-cutting ceremony represents the first tangible manufacturing activity for the next generation of FREMM EVO frigates and confirms that the programme remains fully aligned with its planned schedule.
As Programme Manager, OCCAR manages the FREMM Programme on behalf of the programme’s participating nations, ensuring effective coordination among national authorities and industry partners while supporting the delivery of advanced naval capabilities through a proven cooperative procurement framework.
Since the launch of the FREMM Programme, ten FREMM frigates have been successfully delivered to the Italian Navy and eight to the French Navy. The two Italian FREMM EVO frigates currently under contract are scheduled for delivery to the Italian Navy in 2029 and 2030. Equipped with enhanced platform systems, advanced combat capabilities and innovative digital support solutions, the vessels will strengthen the Navy’s ability to address future maritime security challenges.
Today’s ceremony further reinforces the strategic importance of the OCCAR-managed FREMM Programme, which continues to deliver long-term benefits to participating nations while strengthening Europe’s maritime security and defence industrial base through international cooperation.
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