Fincantieri seeks return to Navy frigate market with FREMM EVO design
Fincantieri Marine Group is pitching its FREMM EVO frigate to the U.S. Navy, leveraging infrastructure built for the cancelled Constellation class. The company argues its existing supply chains and Wisconsin shipyard investments can accelerate production, avoiding the design changes that doomed the previous program. This move coincides with a Navy study on foreign-built ships, though congressional opposition to overseas construction remains a significant hurdle.
Key points
- Fincantieri CEO George Moutafis stated the company is open to a new dialogue with the Navy to utilize its established U.S. supply chains and Marinette Marine shipyard infrastructure.
- The proposed FREMM EVO design is an in-production platform featuring a new Leonardo Kronos Dual-Band Radar for anti-ballistic missile defense and advanced counter-drone capabilities.
- The Constellation class was cancelled after design commonality with the parent FREMM fell to 15 percent, causing severe delays and cost overruns.
- The Navy is currently evaluating foreign designs from Japan, South Korea, and Turkey, with a study expected to conclude next month.
- President Trump's memo directs a competitive acquisition approach, potentially allowing initial foreign construction if shipbuilders invest in U.S. enterprises and hire American workers.
Background
The U.S. Navy is actively seeking to accelerate the delivery of smaller surface combatants to support high-demand Arleigh Burke class destroyers. Recent strategic shifts include the FF(X) program, which utilizes a design derived from the Coast Guard's Legend class cutter, and a broader push to reduce design churn. The Navy aims to have the first FF(X) in water by 2028, but officials acknowledge the need for vessels with more inherent capabilities than the initial FF(X) batch. This follows a period of significant delays in domestic shipbuilding, prompting the administration to explore foreign partnerships to meet fleet requirements.
Why it matters
The potential return of Fincantieri to the U.S. frigate market highlights the tension between rapid acquisition needs and domestic industrial capacity. If successful, it could validate a model where foreign designs are adapted for U.S. service without the extensive redesigns that previously stalled programs. However, it also risks political backlash from Congress, which opposes foreign shipbuilding, and could complicate the existing FF(X) procurement strategy by introducing competition for limited shipyard resources.
What to watch
The Navy is expected to finalize its review of foreign frigate options by next month. This decision will determine whether the service proceeds with the current FF(X) plan or opens the door for additional pitches from Fincantieri and other international shipbuilders. The outcome will also depend on how the Navy interprets the presidential memo regarding the 'Finland Model' of acquisition, which balances foreign construction with U.S. industrial investment.
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on TWZ