Today, the technical launch of the sixth Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship (PPA) “Ruggiero di Lauria” took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by the Admiral Enrico Credendino, Chief of the Italian Navy, and Gianmarco Medusei, President of the Regional Council of Liguria, welcomed for Fincantieri by Gen. Claudio Graziano, Chairman, and Dario Deste, General Manager of the Naval Vessels Division.

This vessel is part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the Italian Navy vessels, approved by the Government and Parliament and started in May 2015 (“Naval Act”) under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).

Vessel’s characteristics: PPA – Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship

The multipurpose offshore patrol vessel is a highly flexible ship with the capacity to serve multiple functions, ranging from patrol with sea rescue capacity to Civil Protection operations and, in its most highly equipped version, first line fighting vessel. There will be indeed different configurations of combat system: starting from a “soft” version for the patrol task, integrated for self-defence ability, to a “full” one, equipped for a complete defence ability. The vessel is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to 11 meters long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.

• 143 meters long overall
• Speed more than 31 knots according to vessel configuration and operational conditions
• 171 persons of the crew
• Equipped with a combined diesel, a gas turbine plant (CODAG) and an electric propulsion system
• Capacity to supply drinking water to land

The Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ships are built at the Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with deliveries expected until 2026.