The Organization Conjointe de Coopéra en matière d’Armement (OCCAR) has awarded Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture between Fincantieri and Leonardo, a €3.7 billion contract to develop and build two new-generation DDX destroyers for the Italian Navy.
The contract, which was signed on September 24, covers the two ships’ development, manufacture, logistical studies, and Initial In-Service Support (ISS) and includes over €1.3 billion in options. There are over €800 million worth of options in the Fincantieri contract and about €480 million in the Leonardo contract.
Leonardo will be in charge of the combat system, and Fincantieri will integrate the platform system.
The DDX program is intended for use in highly interconnected multinational forces and will bring new capabilities in air and missile defense. Sensors, weaponry, multi-domain command-and-control systems, and platform management systems will all be integrated into the ships’ digitalized and automated systems.
New techniques for computing thermal and electrical balances, a stabilization system connected with the steering system, a DC power sub-network with a corresponding energy storage system, and more digital advancements of the Ship Management System will all be part of the platform.
The businesses claim that the system will offer comprehensive air and missile defence against ballistic, hypersonic, and missile threats.
The DDX platform will be 180 meters long, with a crew of 251, a displacement of about 13,500 tonnes, and a range of 4,000 nautical miles.
According to Fincantieri, the ships will feature its Navis Sapiens concept, which supports lifecycle support, technical management, and operational decision-making by utilising onboard data from various systems.
Through a digital backbone created by Fincantieri, each destroyer will be able to manage autonomous underwater and surface assets at a speed of 15 knots.
Delivery of the first DDX destroyer is planned for 2033, while the second ship is expected to arrive in 2035.
