During the recent Paris Air Show, the representatives of France and Italy signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) of the four Horizon frigates of the Italian and French Navies. The modernization will be entrusted to Naviris, the 50/XNUMX joint venture of Fincantieri and Naval Group, and to Eurosam, a consortium formed by MBDA and Thales.
A formal contract will be signed in the coming weeks by Naviris, Eurosam and OCCAR, representing Italy and France.
This step follows a feasibility study, awarded in July 2020 to Naviris as prime-contractor and by OCCAR (Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation). The study represented the first phase of the project and focused mainly on the ships' anti-aircraft defense system. It aimed to identify and analyze the modifications to be implemented on the Italian and French Horizon-class frigates to increase their capabilities until the end of their life cycle.
The cooperation will cover the overall modernization of the frigates, with particular attention to the anti-aircraft defense system (including radars, weapons and their command and control), the combat platform and system, and the electronic warfare system which will be common to both nations.
Naviris will work in close collaboration with the co-contractor Eurosam, the parent companies Fincantieri and Naval Group and the other industrial partners, including Leonardo, Thales, MBDA and Sigen.
Naviris will be responsible for the work on Combat System Modernization (integration of the anti-aircraft defense system, new electronic warfare, communication and combat management systems, anti-obsolescence and upgrade treatment, new optronic systems) and platform modernization (new ship management system, anti-obsolescence and upgrade treatment), while Eurosam will modernize the anti-air warfare chain (C2 PAAMS, new radars).
The Horizon frigates were originally built between 2000 and 2010 as part of a joint program between Fincantieri and the Naval Group, providing the Italian and French Navies with innovative frigates with anti-aircraft capabilities. In this context, the coordinated work of seven industrial partners led by Naviris will respond to the need for rationalization of unit performance, availability and maintenance.
This contract marks the continuation of a long-lasting industrial collaboration between France and Italy. The modernization of the Horizon Frigates, carried out jointly by the two countries through Naviris, is part of this continuity. Naviris, with the support of its two parent companies Naval Group and Fincantieri, has created an industrial project with Eurosam which is also a binational cooperation between France and Italy.
Main characteristics of the Horizon class units
• Overall length / width: 153m / 20,3m
• Displacement / full load: 6.500 tons / 7.300 tons
• Capacity: 210 (crew 190 + 20 passengers)
• Range: 7.000 nautical miles at 18 knots
• Maximum speed: 29 knots
The vessel is designed to serve a wide variety of missions, including high-intensity operations, all with light crew. Horizon frigates are front-line combat vessels with a strong signature capability: anti-aircraft warfare, also known as air defence. The prerogatives of the ships are therefore the control of the airspace over the area of operations, the command and control of the air defense and the anti-aircraft cover for aircraft carrier groups and convoys. Horizon frigates provide protection against high-intensity threats and anti-ship missile attacks. They also contribute to air and sea control during military operations by providing air defense command and control of allied forces. They can also participate in public service missions.
Photo: Defense Online
