FINCANTIERI cuts steel for second Italian Navy FREMM EVO frigate

From its Riva Trigoso shipyard, Italian company FINCANTIERI held the steel-cutting ceremony for the second FREMM EVO frigate (Fregata Europea Multi-Missione Evolution), which is intended for the Italian Navy under its naval capability modernisation programme. The event was attended by Admiral Inspector Chief Cristiano Nervi, Director of the Naval Armaments Directorate; Eugenio Santagata, General Manager of the company’s Naval Vessels Division; and Giovanni Sorrentino, CEO of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali.

Construction of the second FREMM EVO frigate

The Italian Navy procured the two multi-purpose FREMM EVO frigates in mid-2024 through the multi-year FREMM programme, alongside Orizzonte Sistemi Navali and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). A year later, FINCANTIERI launched construction of the first FREMM EVO vessel, with delivery scheduled for June 2029. Construction of the second unit has now begun, and it is expected to be delivered to the Italian Navy in 2030.

FREMM EVO systems and armament

The FREMM EVO frigates will receive state-of-the-art technology, providing capabilities across a broad range of maritime missions. This includes counter-drone equipment and systems for operating and controlling unmanned aerial and naval vehicles, strengthening the Italian Navy’s operational capacity. In relation to their weapons fit, MBDA signed an agreement in October 2025 with Italy’s National Naval Armaments Directorate to supply TESEO MK2/E anti-ship missiles for the FREMM EVO frigates and other Italian Navy vessels.

During 2026, Italy’s FREMM EVO programme reached another major construction milestone for the multi-purpose frigates by successfully completing the Critical Design Review (CDR). This cleared the way for the production phase of the new naval vessels. The review covered the Platform, Combat System and Complete Ship/Integrated Logistic Support domains.

FREMM frigate programme

More recently, the Portuguese Navy decided to acquire three FREMM EVO frigates built by Italian company FINCANTIERI. The transaction was confirmed by Italy’s President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, during a press conference with her Portuguese counterpart, Luís Montenegro. According to reports, the agreement is valued at €3.9 billion and includes the three FREMM EVO units, maintenance programmes and technology transfer, with deliveries expected between 2029 and 2030.