Fincantieri and Navantia have formalized plans to establish a joint venture for the European Patrol Corvette program, signing a memorandum of understanding to advance the multinational initiative.
The EPC project, backed by the Permanent Structured Cooperation and financed in part through the European Defence Fund, is intended to provide a common, interoperable class of surface ships for Italy, Spain, France, and Greece.
Subject to customary approvals, the new entity will manage design activities for the Full Combat Multipurpose version and explore additional collaboration and market prospects across Europe.
Following the design phase, prototype development will commence, including concurrent work on the Long-Range Multipurpose Patrol variant.
According to the companies, the venture will welcome further industrial participants to strengthen Europe’s naval sector and support deployment of advanced warships by 2030. The EPC effort already includes over 40 companies from 12 countries.
Vessel Characteristics
The Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette will span roughly 110 meters in length and draw 6 meters of water.
Equipped with a combined diesel and electric propulsion arrangement, the ship is expected to achieve speeds of up to 26 knots. Weapons suites will be tailored to national requirements, while the flight deck will be sized to operate helicopters in the class of the NH90.
