New technological capabilities developed by WASS, enhanced logistics support, and earlier delivery of the fourth next-generation submarine to the Italian Navy
Fincantieri has signed today a contract amendment with OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) under the U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) program, related to the construction of four next-generation submarines currently being built by the Group for the Italian Navy at the Integrated Shipyard of Muggiano.
The agreement, signed by Joachim Sucker, Director of OCCAR-EA and by Fulvio Palermo, Head of Project Management of Fincantieri’s Naval Vessels Division, is worth approximately 317 million euros and extends the scope of activities assigned to Fincantieri under the program. The amendment includes the introduction of new technological capabilities through the integration of countermeasure systems developed by WASS – the Group company specialized in advanced underwater systems – as well as the enhancement of logistics support activities aimed at ensuring the long-term operational availability and efficiency of the submarines. The contract amendment will also allow the delivery of the program’s fourth submarine to be brought forward by two years, from 2034 to 2032, enabling the Italian Navy to receive one new submarine per year starting in 2029.
The integration of the new WASS-developed countermeasure solutions, to be adopted for the first time aboard the Italy’s national submarines, represents a further step forward in enhancing the operational capabilities of the vessels while capitalizing on the technological and industrial expertise developed across the Group. At the same time, the strengthening of the logistics support package confirms Fincantieri’s ability to support the Italian Navy throughout the entire lifecycle of the submarines, complementing shipbuilding activities with advanced, high value-added services.
The initiative is fully aligned with Fincantieri’s strategy to consolidate its leadership in the underwater domain, one of the Group’s key pillars for industrial and technological growth. Through an integrated ecosystem combining shipbuilding expertise, specialist systems, proprietary technologies and advanced services, Fincantieri now covers the entire underwater value chain, delivering high-value solutions to meet the operational requirements of navies and safeguard strategic underwater infrastructure.
Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented: “This agreement confirms Fincantieri’s central role in developing Italy’s underwater capabilities and further strengthens our positioning in a strategic domain for national security, defense and technological competitiveness. The underwater sector is today one of the Group’s main growth pillars, where we have established an integrated industrial ecosystem spanning the entire value chain, from platforms and systems to advanced services. Within this framework, the U212 NFS program showcases Fincantieri’s ability to integrate shipbuilding expertise, proprietary technologies and specialist know-how, drawing on the excellence developed across our companies and throughout the national industrial base. Bringing forward the delivery of the fourth submarine to 2032 demonstrates Fincantieri’s ability to translate innovation, industrial expertise and execution capability into tangible results, enabling the Italian Navy to receive one new submarine every year starting in 2029.”
The U212 NFS program represents a significant evolution compared with the previous U212A-class submarines, featuring a more mature design, a higher level of national technological content and greater integration of onboard systems. Innovations developed by the Italian industry, including lithium-ion propulsion batteries and the new combat management system, will provide enhanced stealth, endurance, operational efficiency and cyber resilience.
The program also contributes to preserving and enhancing Italy’s national industrial know-how, reinforcing Fincantieri’s role as design authority and prime contractor while fostering the growth of the country’s underwater industrial capabilities. The Muggiano Integrated Shipyard, a historic center of excellence with more than a century of experience and over one hundred submarines built, represents one of the leading international references in the sector. Construction of the four submarines is underway, with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2032, demonstrating outstanding production and organizational capabilities in responding effectively to the evolving global defense environment.
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