Isotta Fraschini Motori, controlled by Fincantieri, is an iconic Made in Italy brand, synonymous with technological and industrial excellence, which has been an integral part of the production structure of Southern Italy for over 50 years.
The historic company has been able to reinvent itself over time, focusing today on a combination of tradition and innovation to relaunch itself once again as a leader in the design and production of motors and energy generators. Of particular importance is its strategic contribution to the Defense sector, where it continues to play a fundamental role, especially with regard to the supply of advanced solutions for numerous Navies in the world, including the Italian one.
Based in Bari, Isotta Fraschini Motori is today one of the symbols of industrial excellence in Southern Italy. The plant has recently been the subject of significant investments in terms of modernization and technological development, thanks also to synergies with Fincantieri. The creation of the Innovation and Development Center (CIS), inaugurated in 2023, represents a key pillar of this relaunch.
This center, established also thanks to the contributions of the European Regional Development Fund Puglia, aims to develop innovative and sustainable solutions, such as the introduction of new engines capable of using non-fossil fuels – for example hydrogen – and advanced power management and remote monitoring systems. The CIS not only allows the company to consolidate its position in the energy sector, but is also an engine of economic and technological development for the region, with the creation of dozens of new highly skilled jobs.
The Defense sector represents a strategic axis for Isotta Fraschini Motori. The company, in fact, is a historical supplier of engines and generators for the naval units of the Navy, a bond that dates back to the times of the Royal Navy.
In particular, the production of non-magnetic motors for minesweepers has been one of the company’s flagships. These motors, developed to minimize magnetic signature and withstand the stresses deriving from underwater mine explosions, are designed to ensure safe operations in extremely critical conditions, confirming the company’s technological excellence in the military sector.
The low magnetic signature is a fundamental feature for the clearance of mined areas, making the naval units equipped with Isotta Fraschini engines effective for this type of operation. In addition, these systems are designed to minimize vibrations and noise, significantly reducing the traceability of military units and confirming the company’s commitment to responding to the increasingly sophisticated needs of the armed forces.
Looking to the future, Isotta Fraschini continues its commitment with particular attention to sustainability and innovation. The IFuture Hydrogen project represents the turning point of the company’s strategy, with the development of hydrogen-powered engines for naval and industrial applications, a choice that aligns the company with the highest standards of global energy transition and reduction of CO2 emissions.
These engines will be essential not only for defense, but also for all those applications, at sea and on land, where efficiency, energy security and sustainability will have to be achieved. Another strategic project that sees Isotta as a protagonist is Wave 2 the Future, the Fincantieri group program, funded under the Ipcei Hy2Tech.
Isotta Fraschini Motori, with the support of Fincantieri, is today one of the symbols of industrial revival of the South, in particular of the Puglia Region; capable of combining the excellence of tradition with the innovation of the future. Its continuous evolution in the defense sector and sustainable energy generation represents not only an industrial success, but also a model for the future of technological development in Southern Italy. A model based on the use of innovative applied technologies developed to create synergy with the other divisions and subsidiaries of the Group, with the aim of offering a new “servicing” model to the customer.
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