Fincantieri delivers Italian Navy’s first PPA offshore patrol ship

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has delivered Paolo Thaon di Revel, the first of seven PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) offshore patrol vessels built for the Italian Navy.

As informed, the delivery ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia) on 18 March.

For the seven vessels of the program, there will be indeed different configurations of combat system: starting from a “soft” version for the patrol task, integrated for self-defence ability, to a “full” one, which means equipped for a complete defence ability, according to Fincantieri.

The patrol ship is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) up to 11 meters long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.

The vessel’s specifications include:

• 143 meters long overall;
• Speed up to 32 knots according to vessel configuration and operational conditions;
• approx. 135 crew members and accommodation capacity up to 181 beds;
• Combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, ie with electric motors for low speeds;
• Capacity to supply drinking water to land.

The PPAs are built at the Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with deliveries expected until 2026. The vessels are a part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the Italian Navy vessels, approved by the Government and Parliament and started in May 2015 under the aegis of OCCAR.

To remind, last month, Fincantieri launched the Italian Navy’s fourth multipurpose offshore patrol ship (PPA – Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) Giovanni delle Bande Nere, the first unit with full defense configuration.