The launch of the "Marcantonio Colonna" Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel (PPA) took place at the Riva Trigoso (Genoa) plant, the fifth of seven units that will all be built at the Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano with deliveries scheduled until 2026.
The PPAs are part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the naval units of the Navy, decided by the Government and Parliament and launched in May 2015 under the aegis of OCCAR (Organization for Joint Co-operation in Armaments).
Present were, among others, the Undersecretary of State for Defense Matteo Perego di Cremnago, the President of the Liguria Region, Giovanni Toti, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Team Admiral Enrico Credendino, the Director of OCCAR, Chief Inspector Admiral Matteo Bisceglia, welcomed by General Claudio Graziano and by Dr. Pierroberto Folgiero, respectively president and chief executive officer of Fincantieri, as well as the general manager of Military Ships Division of the group dr. Dario Deste.
Marcantonio Colonna, who lived between 1535 and 1584, was one of the most illustrious land and sea captains of the 1571th century, also protagonist of the battle of Lepanto in XNUMX. The godmother of the launch was Jeanne Colonna Pavoncelli, descendant of the distinguished family.
Undersecretary of State for Defense Matteo Perego of Cremnago said: “It is a very important day for this extraordinary territory and for Italy, for national industry and for small and medium-sized enterprises, both in terms of employment and investments. Thanks to Fincantieri and related companies for the great technical and innovative value that today make the defense system take a further step forward in the process of modernization of the operational lines of the Navy units" - continued the undersecretary, who added - "Taking steps forward in strategic dimensions like this for national defense and security means taking steps forward for our country and for our citizens".
Technical features of the unit: PPA - Polyvalent Offshore Patrol boats
The multi-purpose offshore patrol vessel represents a highly flexible type of ship with the ability to perform multiple tasks ranging from patrolling with rescue capabilities at sea, to Civil Protection operations, as well as, in its most equipped version, from a former fighter ship. line. In fact, different combat system configurations are envisaged: starting from a "light" one, relating to the patrol task, integrated with self-defense capabilities, up to a "complete" one, equipped with the maximum defense capacity. In addition, the unit is able to use fast boats such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to a length of over 11 meters by means of side cranes or a launching ramp located at the extreme stern.
- 143 meters long overall
- Speed up to 32 knots depending on the configuration and operational structure
- 135 crew members and accommodation capacity up to 181 beds
- Combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, i.e. with electric motors for low speeds
- Ability to provide ashore drinking water and electricity and health support
