Paolo Thaon di Revel, Grand Admiral and Duke of the Sea (1859-1948), played a decisive role in the victory of the Royal Italian Navy in WW1, and was a keen promoter of joint military cooperation. A man of action, often in the front line, and, at the same time, supporter and promoter of knowledge as a tool to shape the future. From today onward, his name stands out on the side of the new unit of the Italian naval fleet - first of seven Multirole Offshore Patrol Vessels (abbreviated in Italian as PPA) - that has been launched today, 15 June, in the Muggiano Fincantieri shipyard, near La Spezia.
"A more appropriate name could not be given to this unit" – said the Italian Defence Minister, Elisabetta Trenta, during her speech – "whose technical and operational characteristics clearly concretise the concept of “Systemic Dual Use"; a perfect example – certainly the first one at European level – of the new Italian (and NATO) multipurpose-by-design programme. This concept envisages the realisation of new military (not only naval) multifunctional and multipurpose assets, conceived as such since the early phase of design, meeting requirements of strategic versatility, flexibility of use, projectability and capability integration. In a word, the "Systemic Dual Use" is an essential prerequisite to allow the conceptual and operational transition from the current 3.0 to the 4.0 version of our Armed Forces, with the aim to enable them to effectively, efficiently and sustainably counter the full range of modern threats including hybrid, security, cyber-energy, and hyper-war, not to mention conventional crises. A system able to address all kinds of challenges, in which available resources may be constantly and regularly updated. We cannot imagine cutting investments in our Armed Forces, we cannot let our defence systems become obsolete" – said the Minister – "from generation to generation, beyond a certain limit. In this sense, I would like to express my greatest satisfaction for the ratification of a long-term Defence expenditure plan with a forecast commitment of over 7 billion euros. I am particularly pleased with our Government's commitment and I am sure this measure will both improve the effectiveness of our Armed Forces – through the implementation of modernisation programmes – and enable the safeguard of national economic interests. In this framework, ITS Thaon di Revel is an example of the world-renowned Italian ability and expertise of which we are proud".
The event was also attended by the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Valter Girardelli, and Fincantieri Chairman, Giampiero Massolo, and CEO Giuseppe Bono. Ship sponsor was Mrs Irene Imperiali, Admiral Paolo Thaon di Revel's grand-daughter, escorted by the ship's designed commanding officer, Commander Emanuele Morea.
First of seven units, this PPA will be delivered in 2021 and is part of the Italian Navy's fleet renewal plan approved by the Government and Parliament and started in May 2015 (“Naval Act"). This result was made possible through effective teamwork and synergy, thanks to the cooperation of – as Admiral Girardelli said - "the Italian Navy General Staff, the technical staff of the Naval Armament Directorate, the Defence ministry, Fincantieri management and workers, managers and operators from our strategic Defence industry, along with the driving and innovative force from innumerable small and medium enterprises of our country. The Italian Navy, the Italian sailors trust you and thank you for what you do: if we sail seas and oceans with safety, confidence and enthusiasm, we owe it to your competence, dedication, professionalism, and the passion you infuse into your work. Advanced complex and competitive systems of which our nation is proud can be studied, designed, realised, constructed and assembled - subject to competent authorities and respective responsibilities - only within a virtuous circle of determination, willingness and know how".
The Multirole Offshore Patrol Vessel is a highly flexible ship, able to execute a wide range of missions, from patrolling with sea rescue capacity to Civil Protection operations, or combat tasks (in its Full version). Three different configurations have been envisaged: “Light" for patrolling tasks contains basic self-defense capabilities, "Light plus" or intermediate, and “Full" (complete), able to operate in every naval warfare domain. The vessel is also capable of operating RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) up to 11 meters long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.
- 132.5 metres long
- Speed: over 31 knots according to vessel configuration and operational conditions
- Sleeping accommodation for 173
- Combined diesel and gas turbine plant (CODAG) and an electric propulsion system
- Capacity to supply drinking water ashore
- Capacity to supply electric power ashore (2000 kw)
- 2 modular zones at the stern and at the center of the ship allowing to embark various types of containerized operating/logistic/residential/healthcare modules (in particular, the stern area may receive and handle within a covered area up to 5 modules in ISO 20" containers, while the central zone may host up to 8 ISO 20" containers)
The PPAs will be built at the Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with delivery expected in 2021 for the first vessel of the class, while the following deliveries will take place in 2022, 2023, 2024 (two units), 2025 and 2026.
