Portugal to purchase three frigates from Italy’s Fincantieri: Meloni

WASHINGTON — Portugal plans to purchase three frigates from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced today.

“I am very, very pleased regarding Portugal’s decision to buy three FREMM EVO frigates from Fincantieri,” Meloni said during a press conference alongside Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. “It is a recognition of Italian defense industry but also of how Europe can reinforce its autonomy by investing in its own technological capacity and companies. I also think this is an opportunity for us to work closer within the maritime domain.

A spokesperson for Fincantieri declined to comment for this report. CNN Portugal first reported in December that a deal was coming, and today quoted Montenegro as saying it would be worth nearly €3.9 billion ($4.6 billion).

Fincantieri bills the FREMM EVO as the “evolution” of its original FREMM program coming in two variants, according to the shipbuilder’s website. The ships are 144 meters (472 feet) long, with a max continuous speed of over 27 knots (31 mph).

“The two new units will be at the forefront of defense vessels, both in terms of technology and performance, building on the main technological developments already achieved in recent programs and further improving capabilities through the integration of the latest anti-drone and unmanned systems across three domains,” the company says.

Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo contributed to this report from London.