Italy's government has asked parliament to approve a 2.4-billion-euro ($2.82 billion) investment over 15 years for the maintenance and modernisation of its frigate fleet, a parliamentary document seen by Reuters showed.The plan
Italy's government has asked parliament to approve a 2.4-billion-euro ($2.82 billion) investment over 15 years for the maintenance and modernisation of its frigate fleet, a parliamentary document seen by Reuters showed.
The plan comes as Italy moves to gradually increase its defence spending to comply with higher NATO targets, after the alliance members agreed to a U.S. demand to boost their annual defence budgets to 5% of gross domestic product.
The programme, to 2039, is aimed at "the maintenance of operational conditions and logistical support" as well as the so-called 'mid-life upgrade' of FREMM-type frigate naval units, the document said.
It stressed the need to ensure Italy continues to operate vessels capable of effectively monitoring maritime areas of national interest.
FREMM frigates are multi-purpose warships jointly designed by Italy’s Fincantieri and France's Naval Group. Last year, the shipbuilding joint venture, along with defence group Leonardo, won a contract worth about 1.5 billion euros to build two frigates for Rome.
The document noted that cooperation with industry is expected to continue under existing arrangements, including through the European procurement agency OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation).
The new investment will be funded by both the Italian industry and defence ministries. The
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