The request for a parliamentary opinion refers to a draft decree relating to a multi-year program of Modernization and Renewal (A / R) of naval instrument. The project, as a whole, aims to renew the destroyer line through the acquisition of 2 units of modern conception of its ten-year logistic support. The procurement plan is divided into 2 distinct strictly interconnected phases: the first, currently in progress, relating to studies preparatory to the definition of the best technical-operational-logistic solutions planning; the second relating to the construction of 2 Units and the supply of the relative logistical support.
With reference to the aims of the program, the Defense Staff points out that the aim is to replace two previous generation Fighters still in service with 2 naval units with pronounced air and missile defense capabilities, including type ballistic. The program, aimed at safeguarding the operational capabilities of the component maritime of the national military instrument, will provide for the development and construction of a new class of destroyer characterized by strong qualities of sturdiness, resistance, flexibility of use, capable of carrying out the entire spectrum of missions in three domains: surface, underwater and air.
The Defense General Staff also states that the entry into service of 2 new ones Destroyers – intended to replace the two oldest units of the class Admirals – it is essential to ensure the continuous availability of anti-aircraft / BMD capabilities in rotation order to at least 3 ships ready for the fulfillment of the tasks associated with the 1st Mission (Defense of the State, control of the maritime areas of competence, support to the national Air Defense in Combined Air Sea Procedures role – CASP and BMD sea based) and those of the 2nd Mission (Defense of the Euro-Atlantic spaces, support for NATO and EU regional activities, including missions).
The program is conceived according to a multiannual development plan expected to start in 2021 (preparatory studies, in progress) and total duration of 15 years (1st tranche 2021- 2035).
The program is based on a project already carried out by the national shipbuilding industry. The areas geographic areas mainly involved will be the Liguria region and Lazio. On the basis of the wide international interest registered by the technological capabilities and shipbuilding industry expressed by the Bergamini class units (FREMM), it is presumable that the new acquisition program for 2 new destroyers – adhering to the approach planning of the Units cl. FREMM and Horizon – may in turn collect an equal widespread international interest, with cooperation and / or export prospects.
The SME activities that will be generated by the complex and innovative program entitled yes it will also extend beyond the regional areas of Liguria and Lazio and will affect Puglia, Sicily, Piedmont, Lombardy, Campania, Veneto and Emilia Romagna, with the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the sector of services and the supply of equipment and systems concerning shipbuilding, relating both to the part relating to the platform and to the systems of telecommunications and command and control of the Units in question.
The industrial sectors affected by the program will therefore mainly be those of shipbuilding, electronics, mechanics and armaments. The program is characterized by a technologically advanced level and will allow you to significantly increase the know-how of national military shipbuilding and, consequently, that of the other maritime transport sectors.
As is generally the case, research si development of innovative systems capable of meeting the challenging military requirements represent naturally an important driving force for the research and development of products that follow used to identify solutions, develop and produce highly developed systems and equipment competitive also in the field of national civil shipbuilding, favoring and guaranteeing the national industrial system of the sector maintaining a leadership position. At production activities will be added to the induced activities of future maintenance activities, by the Arsenals military personnel in Taranto and La Spezia, with a further significant contribution and positive repercussions of use for the affected areas.
The total forecast cost of the program is 2,700 million euros. The expenditure for the first tranche equal to 2,349.1 – for preparatory studies, the acquisition of 2 naval units, a first ammunition section and five-year logistic support.
According to the DPP, the new units will replace Nave Mimbelli and Nave Durand de la Penne.