Italian Navy Addresses New Shipbuilding Programmes

LONDON, December 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Following an announcement earlier this year by the Italian Navy's chief admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi, the service's head of ship design is preparing to elaborate on plans and partnership potential at the annual Surface Warships conference being held in the UK this January.

"The Italian Navy is currently working to start a shipbuilding programme which would include different types of platforms, including a multirole patrol vessels, a multirole amphibious ship, a logistic support vessel and a multirole submarine support vessel," Captain Sergio Simone told Defence IQ ahead of his address, explaining that ageing destroyers, frigates, patrol ships and corvettes are all in need of urgent replacement.

The full interview can be found here: http://bit.ly/IAISwt

Simone will be presenting the latest plans and opportunities to the Surface Warships delegation, which includes international military officers and programme managers, as well as private industry professionals looking for the chance to network directly with those making decisions for future surface combatant requirements.

Italy has recently been a world leader in modern surface warship design, having been part of the multinational design and delivery of the FREMM vessel programme first commissioned by the French Navy in 2012.

Other nations representing plans for upgrades and procurement include Denmark, which hopes to enhance the capabilities of its offshore patrol vessels operating off Greenland, and Spain, which is now developing the F-110 multipurpose frigate for full service in 2025.

Surface Warships 2014 (February 30-31, Portsmouth, UK) is sponsored by Navantia, Saab, Cassidian and MTU. The full agenda and further information can be found at http://www.surfacewarships.com, or by emailing enquire@defenceiq.com or calling +44(0)207-368-9737.