Second Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship Francesco Morosini delivered

The patrol vessel has the capacity to serve multiple functions, ranging from patrol with sea rescue capacity to Civil Protection operations.

Second Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship Francesco Morosini delivered
Photo: Fincantieri

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the second of seven PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship “Francesco Morosini” to the Italian Navy during a ceremony held on 22 October 2022 at the Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard.

The PPAs are 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 under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).

Attended the event, among others, the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral OF-9 Enrico Credendino, and the General Manager Naval Vessels Division of Fincantieri, Dario Deste.

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. For the seven vessels of the program 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, which means equipped for a complete defence ability. The patrol ship 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 up to 32 knots according to vessel configuration and operational conditions
    approx. 135 crew members and accommodation capacity up to 181 beds
  • Combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, ie with electric motors for low speeds
  • Capacity to supply drinking water to land