Orizzonte Sistemi Navali receives contract for new Italian Navy OPVs

A graphic depiction of the OPV. (Fincantieri)

Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture between Leonardo and Fincantieri, has been awarded a contract by the naval armaments branch of Italy's General Secretariat of Defence to build three next-generation offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Italian Navy.

The contract, valued at EUR925 million (USD1.014 billion), includes options for three additional units and related integrated logistics support.

The new-generation OPV is based on the FCX-20 variant of Fincantieri's FCX naval ship series, a Fincantieri spokesperson told Janes. The design has been optimised for the operative requirements of the Italian Navy as a combatant surface unit with anti-pollution capabilities, able to operate in a range of scenarios that include maritime surveillance and presence, merchant traffic control, and protection of sea lines of communication (SLOC) and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Specifications include a full load displacement of around 2,300 tonnes, an overall length of 95 m, a beam of 14.4 m, and a moulded depth of 8.4 m. The OPV has a top speed of more than 24 kt, a range of 3,500 n mile at 14 kt, and can carry a crew complement of 97.

Other features include a flight deck and hangar for one medium-sized helicopter, such as the Italian Navy's NH-90s, and a Class II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), such as the service's AWHero rotary-wing unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

The OPV is designed for the launch and recovery of two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), which are positioned amidships on either side of a modular mission area on the main deck (one 7 m RHIB positioned at starboard and one 9 m RHIB positioned at the port side).