On September 30th, 2016, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia, Italy), the fifth Italian FREMM Frigate ALPINO, has been delivered.
This new vessel is the fourth and last unit built in the antisubmarine warfare configuration over a programme of 10 ships.
Even in this case the schedule has been perfectly respected, notwithstanding a period full of commitments where, among the others, stands-out the delivery of an important ship built for a foreign Navy.
* DECEMBER 2013: Acceptance of the FREMM FOC ASW FASAN, fully operational
* JANUARY 2014: Launch of the S.Giusto type LPD for a north African Country
* FEBRUARY 2014: Acceptance of the FREMM ASW MARGOTTINI, fully operational,
* MARCH 2014: Delivery of Software & System Integration and Acceptance Centre SSIAC in Taranto
* MARCH 2014: Launch of the fourth frigate, CARABINIERE
* SEPTEMBER 2014: Delivery of the S.Giusto type LPD
* OCTOBER 2014: Start of OSN FREMM Temporary Global Support (TGS) Programme
Next events are the acceptance of the ASW CARABINIERE scheduled within the first months of 2015, and the launch of the Rizzo Ship by the end of 2015.
Special mention goes to the start of the innovative service for the logistic support of the FREMM frigates (FREMM Temporary Global Support programme), newly developed by OSN in cooperation with the main industries involved in the FREMM programme.
In a period expiring in 2019, the first batch of six frigates will be subject to support services made available by Fincantieri and Finmeccanica Companies (Selex ES, Oto Melara, WASS, MBDA Italia) together with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, in charge of the Italian FREMM TGS programme coordination.
These services, that include Configuration and Material Management as well as Field Engineering, are distributed over an envelope consisting of a total of 18 “ship-years” considering the progressive entering into service of the units.
The Italian TGS FREMM Programme, and associated innovative and challenging processes and requirements, put the Italian Navy and Italian Industry at the cutting edge of Naval System in-service support, aimed to reduce costs and improve Fleet effectiveness.
The previous phase of “TGS preparation” was performed by the OCCAR-EA FREMM Programme Division, Italian Navy and Orizzonte Sistemi Navali since 2012 including the field analysis and plans definition. In April 2014, the “Deployment phase” for the support services started, consisting of the acquisition of the tools and the modernisation of the logistic facilities.
The Italian FREMM Frigates represent a technological excellence: 144 metres long with a displacement at full load of approximately 6,700 tons, the ships have been designed for achieving a maximum speed of over 27 knots and providing accommodation up to 200 people (crew and additional personnel), granting high degree of flexibility and the capability to operate in a wide range of scenarios and in all tactical situations.