Euronaval 2026 – Fincantieri unveils the multi-mission modular vessel (MMMV): one hull, many missions

At Euronaval 2026 exhibition, Fincantieri unveiled the new 50-metre and 500-tonne multi-mission modular vessel (MMMV), a concept of a stealth patrolling platform with a reduced crew characterized by a large modular and containerized mission payload area. It exploits the latest technologies including unmanned control, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, cyber intelligence, all combined in one hub, to conduct six main missions, from surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) including underwater protection to more combatant operations such as strike with drones, loitering munitions and intelligence

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“Today, we are going to present the multi-mission modular vessel (MMMV). It is something that defies logic. Traditionally, naval players have built ships around the mission. That is what the one-on-one of the shipbuilder dictates and wants. Today, logic gets reversed. MMMV does not revolve around a mission. It is a ship that receives a mission. It is a ship that revolves around the need of being modular, versatile, agile, while still projecting power at sea. One hull, many missions,” Eugenio Santagata, Director Naval Vessels at Fincantieri, said presenting the DNA of the new platform.

With an overall length of 50 metres, a beam of 8.8 metres and a displacement of 500 tonnes, according to the few information provided by the Fincantieri representative in his presentation, the MMMV is engineered around a low radar cross section (RCS) patrol platform design with a reduced manning of six personnel and optionally remotely controlled, characterized by a large modular and containerized payload area occupying approximately half of the length of the ship to conduct a wide range of missions.

The propulsion is centred on an electrical arrangement capable to provide a maximum speed of 23 knots and a range of 2,500 nautical miles at a speed of 14 knots, with an operational endurance of 7-10 days. The presented slides show a two shafts configuration with the same number of propellers and rudders with stabilizing fins amidships. The MMMV will be capable to work alone or in swarm of platforms, in a remotely controlled and unmanned configuration according to the terminology.

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With the MMMV, Fincantieri has developed “a modular concept, containerized, by seizing the trends that want more and more of these kinds of solutions to coexist with the big guys, with our frigates, with our corvettes, with our submarines,” he explained.

“As a matter of fact, the future of naval power would resemble more an apple store than a traditional shipyard. Because in this we combine payloads to be reconfigured according to a specific need. And what kind of missions we’re talking about? We engineered MMMV around six key important types of missions,” Santagata explained.

To cope with the assigned missions, the ship has a bow and central section with a forward light gun station, a Leonardo Lionfish 30 mm. The bridge is expected to be equipped with the same family of Naval Cockpit already developed and in service with Italian and Indonesian Navies, in the latter case on board the MPCS/PPA platform, and limited superstructures. These are equipped with a main mast, alongside communications antenna and satellite communications terminals, in addition to surveillance sensors and not-lethal weapons. The amidships and stern area are characterized by a flat deck for the accommodation of up to six 20-foot ISO standard containers for the mission payload, embarking three rows of two each. It is interesting to note the ‘working deck’ features a retractable hangar with lateral apertures which covers all six containers, helping to reduce the platform’s RCS as well as protecting materiel and personnel working on deck.

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MMMV sits in the middle and at the intersection of law enforcement, defence and intelligence (operations). It integrates the traditional conventional surface and underwater capabilities. Quantum technology, AI is massively involved, alongside cyber intelligence capabilities are all combined in one hub, six missions.

The MMMV has been designed around six main missions, which have been identified as

Interdictor, Warden, Gatekeeper, Keeper, Vanguard and Hunter. The Interdictor is aimed to conduct anti-trafficking, communication and radar intelligence featuring containerized payloads including UAV and RHIB launchers for surveillance and control, containerized fuel tanks for surface boats, communication and radio intelligence suite and containerized accommodation for additional personnel. The Warden payload configuration is devoted to EEZ protection, Marine Domain Awareness (MDA), anti-trafficking, Search and Rescue, and signal intelligence. Gatekeeper is devoted to mine warfare and is equipped with unmanned air surveillance vehicle, mine laying and alternatively mine countermeasures payloads. The Keeper configuration conducts underwater protection in addition to signal intelligence missions with containerized payloads including a containerized UAV with launcher and support, MCM and signal intelligence suite, by capitalizing on the experience of Fincantieri in the underwater drone release capabilities. The Vanguard is dedicated to strike operations with a containerized UAV featuring the launcher system and support, alongside loitering munitions, and is capable to conduct a range of missions that revolve around the need to be kinetic, to be precise, to be surgical. Finally, the Hunter configuration, a combination of communication intelligence plus strike missions, including a containerized UAV with launcher and support, loitering munitions, signal intelligence and accommodations for additional personnel.

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“It is a very versatile vessel capable to conduct six main types of missions with six mixed containerized payloads, capable to be built and delivered in a very fast time and absolutely competitive in price. This kind of approach will not replace the traditional one. All threats that require advanced underwater surveillance, mines and submarine hunting alongside anti-ballistic capabilities, will coexist with this one,” he concluded.

Photos by L. Peruzzi