Ninth Fremm Unit “Spartaco Schergat” Joins the Ranks of the Italian Navy!
Today, at Fincantieri’s Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a collaboration held by Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), presented the multi-role frigate ‘Spartaco Schergat’ to the Italian Navy, marking the ninth in a lineup of 10 FREMM (European Multi-Mission Frigates) contracted to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali as the Main Contractor, Whole Warship and Combat System Design Authority under the Italian-French international partnership agreement, whose agreement was formalized with OCCAR, Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Dario Deste, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Naval Vessels Division, Giovanni Sorrentino, CEO of OSN, OCCAR Director General Joachim Sucker, Admiral Vincenzo Montanaro, Commander of the Interregional Maritime Command South, Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director of Naval Armaments, and General Francois Watteau, DGA representative.
The FREMM program, initiated in 2005 with the inaugural vessel delivered in July 2012, anticipates the provision of four General Purpose Units, four Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) units, and two Enhanced Anti-Submarine units. In line with this initiative, two advanced-generation FREMM frigates in the “EVOLUTION” variant – known as “FREMM EVO” – are presently under construction at the Fincantieri Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with deliveries planned for 2029 and 2030.
The latest unit, constructed at the Fincantieri Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, is outfitted with the most sophisticated systems created by Fincantieri, Leonardo, MBDA, and Elettronica. Like other FREMM units, it offers extensive operational versatility and is capable of functioning in all tactical environments. The vessel measures 144 meters in length, 19.7 meters in width, and has a full-load displacement of roughly 6,700 tons. It can attain speeds exceeding 27 knots and can accommodate up to 200 personnel on board.
The innovative and cyber-resilient features of these vessels are the outcome of extensive design, organizational, and managerial endeavors. A high degree of automation has been incorporated into the next-generation onboard systems, utilized for all onboard functions. This approach aids in ensuring high operational readiness, supported by an optimized maintenance plan. Comprehensive Human Factors studies have influenced the design to create more effective and efficient workspaces tailored to diverse operational requirements. The vessel also boasts prolonged autonomy (approximately 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots) and logistical standards suited for extended missions, even beyond the wider Mediterranean region.
Spartaco Schergat, the initial unit in the Enhanced Anti-Submarine Warfare configuration, is optimized as a versatile vessel, integrating systems characteristic of both the General Purpose version – facilitating a balanced contribution across all combat arenas – and the ASW variant, emphasizing enhanced anti-submarine capabilities for sea control operations, maritime communication line safeguarding, and naval interdiction. It will also function as a sophisticated command post, overseeing joint and combined missions.
The FREMM (European Multi-Mission Frigate) initiative stands as the most significant collaborative endeavor undertaken among European industries in the naval domain and epitomizes the forefront of Italian and European defense. It arises from the necessity to modernize the Italian Navy’s fleet, particularly replacing the “Lupo” and “Maestrale” class frigates, which were produced by Fincantieri in the 1970s and 1980s.
