ROME — Italy is to promote Greece two Fremm-class frigates that are at the moment in service with the Italian navy, marking a brand new chapter in Italy’s profitable collection of export gross sales to naval clients who want fast supply.
The nationwide armaments administrators of Italy and Greece signed a preliminary settlement on Monday for the sale to the Greek navy of the Bergamini – a common function FREMM – and the Fasan – an anti-submarine variant.
Each have been constructed by Italian state shipyard Fincantieri and have been in service with the Italian navy since 2013.
Fincantieri, which can deal with the sale, mentioned in an announcement the ultimate deal would additionally embody a help bundle it will handle.
Greek media has reported every vessel shall be bought for €300 million ($352 million).
A key promoting level shall be velocity: the supply will take a fraction of time it will require to construct new vessels at a second when Greece is looking for to answer rising army tensions within the Mediterranean and rivalry with its neighbor Turkey.
The deal follows the sale by Italy to Indonesia and Egypt of vessels that have been already below building for the Italian navy.
When Indonesia signed a €1.18 billion contract final yr to accumulate two Fincantieri PPA vessels, Italy accelerated the deal by providing vessels already being constructed to satisfy the Italian navy’s personal order for seven ships.
This yr, Italy crammed the ensuing hole in its navy order ebook by putting an order for 2 extra PPA vessels with Fincantieri which shall be delivered to the Italian navy in 2029 and 2030.
Italy has beforehand bought two Fremm frigates to Egypt which have been already below building for Italy and near supply.
Once they have been bought they have been promptly changed by new orders to fill the hole for the Italian navy.
The Greek sale is not going to solely give Greece frigates quick however will even permit Italy to order two newer, upgraded FREMM ‘Evo’ frigates to fill the hole left within the Italian fleet.
