contedicavour
New Member
Here is an update on Italian naval programmes, taken from military magazines RID, PD, T&D...
> Cavour : the carrier is now confirmed to start sea trials this month, testing weapons systems and navigation tools. With some luck we'll get pictures ASAP
> Horizon DDGs : Doria started sea trials Sept 20th and will be completely operational in 2008, thus at the same time as the French Forbin. Duilio, second in class, is almost completed in Riva Trigoso shipyard and will be sailing next March for completion at Muggiano shipyard, sea trials in 2008 and will be operational in 2009. Apparently no trouble with integration of S1850, EMPAR and Aster missiles as hinted by some sources in the past.
> FREMM : Bergamini and Margottini, the 2 first in class, will start building Sept 2007, which leaves some time to finalize design. No decision has yet been taken whether both will belong to the ASW sub-class or whether there will be one ASW and one multi-purpose/land attack. Financially it would be wiser to lower ASW gear costs by ordering both as ASW. Besides, a decision on Sylver A70 VLS for Scalp Naval still hasn't been taken, and starting building of a GP FREMM without having decided whether to embark cruise missiles or not wouldn't make much sense.
> LHD (also known as 4th LPD) : the MOD vice-minister in charge of the Navy, Forcieri, is meeting the Civilian Protection Agency head to finalize details of how that agency would fund the LHD. For the moment the preferred design is 20,000 tonne 190-meter LHD with a wide island including hangars for 4 EH101, well dock for 4 LCM and hangar space for 40 heavy MBTs or 400 VTLMs, and accomodation for 750 marines. If the Civilian Protection Agency gives a green light (as it did in 1987 for the LPD San Marco), then building should start relatively soon (2008 ?)
The Navy is planning to cooperate with a "major non-European navy" to finalize design and potentially reduce costs by building more than 1. Speculation is high that the country is in reality India. It would be great if Italy and India jointly developed a LHD class of 20,000 tonnes building on the collaboration underway for the Indian indigenous aircraft carrier.
> AOR : fleet replenishers/oilers Vesuvio and Stromboli will have to be replaced in 2008-09 so orders are expected soon.
> Vulcano/Strales programme : the guided ammunition version of 76/62SR called "Davide" will be tested in 2007 aboard the OPVH Comandante Fulgosi. The 127/64 gun is also being developed in parallel with both guided and unguided ammunition with ranges of up to 100km in land attack mode.
> U212A vs S1000 : the Navy initially though of replacing the coastal SSKs of the Toti class with S1000. Now that it is clear that our total SSK strength will hover around 6 subs, the Navy's priority is entirely in completing the U212A programme with 2 follow-on orders next year. The Navy is however helping to finance Fincantieri's S1000 programme because of the R&D impact it could have for future subs.
> MCM ships : replacement of the 4 oldest MCM ships (Lerici class) will have to take place after 2012. For the moment Intermarine is selling MCM ships to Finland and trying to win a contract in India. 2 types of MCM ships, one oceanic and one more coastal, are under development.
cheers
> Cavour : the carrier is now confirmed to start sea trials this month, testing weapons systems and navigation tools. With some luck we'll get pictures ASAP
> Horizon DDGs : Doria started sea trials Sept 20th and will be completely operational in 2008, thus at the same time as the French Forbin. Duilio, second in class, is almost completed in Riva Trigoso shipyard and will be sailing next March for completion at Muggiano shipyard, sea trials in 2008 and will be operational in 2009. Apparently no trouble with integration of S1850, EMPAR and Aster missiles as hinted by some sources in the past.
> FREMM : Bergamini and Margottini, the 2 first in class, will start building Sept 2007, which leaves some time to finalize design. No decision has yet been taken whether both will belong to the ASW sub-class or whether there will be one ASW and one multi-purpose/land attack. Financially it would be wiser to lower ASW gear costs by ordering both as ASW. Besides, a decision on Sylver A70 VLS for Scalp Naval still hasn't been taken, and starting building of a GP FREMM without having decided whether to embark cruise missiles or not wouldn't make much sense.
> LHD (also known as 4th LPD) : the MOD vice-minister in charge of the Navy, Forcieri, is meeting the Civilian Protection Agency head to finalize details of how that agency would fund the LHD. For the moment the preferred design is 20,000 tonne 190-meter LHD with a wide island including hangars for 4 EH101, well dock for 4 LCM and hangar space for 40 heavy MBTs or 400 VTLMs, and accomodation for 750 marines. If the Civilian Protection Agency gives a green light (as it did in 1987 for the LPD San Marco), then building should start relatively soon (2008 ?)
The Navy is planning to cooperate with a "major non-European navy" to finalize design and potentially reduce costs by building more than 1. Speculation is high that the country is in reality India. It would be great if Italy and India jointly developed a LHD class of 20,000 tonnes building on the collaboration underway for the Indian indigenous aircraft carrier.
> AOR : fleet replenishers/oilers Vesuvio and Stromboli will have to be replaced in 2008-09 so orders are expected soon.
> Vulcano/Strales programme : the guided ammunition version of 76/62SR called "Davide" will be tested in 2007 aboard the OPVH Comandante Fulgosi. The 127/64 gun is also being developed in parallel with both guided and unguided ammunition with ranges of up to 100km in land attack mode.
> U212A vs S1000 : the Navy initially though of replacing the coastal SSKs of the Toti class with S1000. Now that it is clear that our total SSK strength will hover around 6 subs, the Navy's priority is entirely in completing the U212A programme with 2 follow-on orders next year. The Navy is however helping to finance Fincantieri's S1000 programme because of the R&D impact it could have for future subs.
> MCM ships : replacement of the 4 oldest MCM ships (Lerici class) will have to take place after 2012. For the moment Intermarine is selling MCM ships to Finland and trying to win a contract in India. 2 types of MCM ships, one oceanic and one more coastal, are under development.
cheers