Italy starts construction of first FREMM EVO frigate to counter maritime threats expected until the 2030s.

On April 3, 2025, the Italian company Fincantieri laid the keel of the first new-generation FREMM EVO frigate, named Alpino (F 594), for the Italian Navy at its Riva Trigoso shipyard. Expected to be delivered in 2027, this ship is set to become the ninth FREMM-class frigate built by Fincantieri and the first to incorporate a broad set of technological upgrades, particularly in command, control, and combat systems, into the original FREMM class.
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The FREMM EVO (Evoluzione) program was officially launched in 2021 after the Italian Ministry of Defence’s decision to acquire two enhanced frigates to replace the original FREMMs sold to Egypt. (Picture source: Impression of a FREMM EVO by Army Recognition)

The FREMM (Fregata Europea Multi-Missione – European multi-purpose frigate) program was launched in the early 2000s as a joint initiative between Italy and France to replace several classes of aging frigates and promote standardization among European navies. The joint venture involved Italy’s Fincantieri and France’s Naval Group (formerly DCNS), with OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement) acting as the coordinating agency. The program was designed around a modular family of frigates capable of fulfilling both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and general-purpose missions. Italy’s early commitment led to the development of a national variant optimized for its operational needs, integrating local systems such as Leonardo sensors and Italian-specific command and control software.

Over time, Italy’s FREMM design diverged from its French counterpart, particularly after the initial production phases. Italian FREMMs incorporated advanced ASW features, such as quiet propulsion systems and optimized sonar arrays, along with high-level automation to reduce crew requirements. Following a study initiated by the Italian Navy in 2020, the FREMM EVO (Evoluzione) program was officially launched in 2021 after the Italian Ministry of Defence’s decision to acquire two enhanced frigates to replace the original FREMMs sold to Egypt. This evolution came in response to shifting naval requirements and the need for improved multi-domain capabilities amid growing maritime threats in the Mediterranean and beyond. The FREMM program has long been a cornerstone of Franco-Italian cooperation, but the EVO variant represents a distinctly Italian-led development tailored to national strategic needs. Based on the Bergamini-class, the FREMM EVO features structural, sensor, and combat system enhancements designed to improve detection, engagement capabilities, and survivability in response to the threats and operational requirements anticipated in the 2030s and beyond.

In 2024, the Italian Ministry of Defence signed a €3.2 billion contract with Fincantieri and Leonardo for the acquisition of three new FREMM EVO frigates. The deal includes funding for long-lead items for a potential fourth unit. Approved by Italy’s Court of Auditors in March 2024, the agreement was officially announced in early April. The new vessels are based on the FREMM platform and will incorporate a combination of European and U.S. weapon systems, including MBDA’s Aster 30 and Raytheon’s SM-2 Block III C surface-to-air missiles, as well as Leonardo’s Kronos Dual Band radar system.

Italian FREMMs incorporated advanced ASW features, such as quiet propulsion systems and optimized sonar arrays, along with high-level automation to reduce crew requirements. (Picture source: Ryan Imeson Photography via Facebook/Marina Militare)

A central feature of the FREMM EVO, this active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar integrates C-band and X-band arrays within a single mast structure. The configuration is designed to improve long-range detection and low-altitude tracking of multiple target types, including missiles and unmanned systems. The radar is software-defined, allowing updates to its functions and algorithms. The integration of two radar bands enables simultaneous air and surface surveillance, target tracking, and missile guidance, supporting multi-domain operational requirements.

The ships will be equipped with a 32-cell A50 vertical launch system, enabling the deployment of both MBDA Aster 30 and Raytheon SM-2 Block III C surface-to-air missiles. The presence of both missile types reflects an intent to combine national and allied capabilities and increase operational flexibility. The Aster 30 provides area defense against high-speed aerial threats, while the SM-2 is integrated into several NATO systems and offers extended-range engagement, with a secondary role as an anti-ship missile. The use of both missiles on the same platform aligns with interoperability goals and enhances the ship’s contribution to coalition task forces.

The electronic warfare suite is expected to include updated electronic support measures (ESM), improved soft-kill systems, and modern cyber protection solutions. The topside layout has been modified to reduce radar cross-section and thermal signature. These design adaptations are part of broader survivability improvements, which also include decoy launchers and signal management systems. The integration of defensive aids is consistent with fifth-generation naval survivability concepts, which prioritize not only physical protection but also electronic deception and resilience against multi-domain threats, as new threat environments involve saturation missile attacks and electronic warfare.

The propulsion system retains the combined diesel-electric and gas turbine (CODLAG) arrangement used on the original Bergamini-class, providing both quiet cruise capability and high-speed transits when required. However, modifications are expected to improve energy efficiency and further reduce acoustic signatures during ASW missions. The FREMM EVO will support the deployment of both crewed helicopters and unmanned systems for maritime surveillance, ASW, and over-the-horizon targeting, integrating with new communication and mission management systems optimized for multi-domain operations.

As of 2025, the Italian Navy operates eight FREMM-class frigates to replace the older Maestrale- and Lupo-classes: four FREMMs in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant and four in the general-purpose (GP) variant. (Picture source: Marina Militare)

The displacement of the FREMM EVO is expected to remain close to the 6,700-ton range, but the internal layout has been revised to optimize crew accommodations, system access, and payload flexibility. Crew size will be reduced through increased automation, while additional space is allocated for mission-specific detachments. Modular mission bays will allow for the deployment of future payloads such as containerized systems, loitering munitions, or unmanned vehicles. These modular features are intended to ensure that the FREMM EVO remains adaptable over its expected 30-year service life.

The original FREMM frigates in Italian service, known as the Bergamini-class, are already among the most advanced in Europe. These ships are available in two variants: general-purpose and ASW-focused. They are equipped with Leonardo radar systems, MBDA Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, and Otobreda naval guns. Optimized for both blue water and littoral operations, the existing FREMMs form the backbone of the Italian surface fleet and have extensive operational experience in NATO and EU missions, particularly in the Mediterranean and the Horn of Africa.

As of 2025, the Italian Navy operates eight FREMM-class frigates to replace the older Maestrale- and Lupo-classes: four FREMMs in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant (Carlo Bergamini, Virginio Fasan, Carlo Margottini, and Carabiniere) and four in the general-purpose (GP) variant (Luigi Rizzo, Federico Martinengo, Antonio Marceglia, and Spartaco Schergat). Two additional FREMMs (Emilio Bianchi and Spartaco Schergat) were sold to Egypt and replaced in the Italian Navy’s order book by the new FREMM EVO units. The Alpino will thus mark the beginning of a second-generation FREMM presence in the Italian fleet and may also influence future export versions or modernization programs for the existing FREMM ships.