PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura)
Combat Patrol Vessels (PPA)
The Multipurpose Offshore Patrol (PPA) represents a highly flexible type of ship with the ability to perform multiple tasks ranging from patrolling with rescue capabilities at sea, to Civil Protection operations, as well as, in its most equipped version, as a fighting ship first-line. In fact, different configurations of combat system are foreseen: starting from a "light" version, related to the patrol task, integrated with self-defense capabilities, up to a "complete" one, equipped with the maximum defense capability. In addition, the unit is able to use fast boats like RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to a length of more than 11 meters by means of side cranes or a launching ramp located at the far stern. “Paolo Thaon di Revel” is the First of Class (FOC) PPA in Light configuration. The Paolo Thaon di Revel class (also known as PPA for "Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura") is a class of multipurpose offshore ships built by Fincantieri. Paolo Thaon di Revel is one of seven PPAs being built by Fincantieri shipbuilding group as part of the Italian Navy's fleet renewal plan.
To replace a range of vessel types (from frigates to patrol ships), the PPA project has been laid out to contribute to HADR operations including civil protection, as well as to operate in traditional military scenarios. To cope with these requirements, the Italian Navy has developed a platform with excellent seakeeping performance, as well as high top speed for rapid deployment in crisis/disaster relief operations, and reconfigurable areas for modular mission payloads.
According to Italian Navy’s Chief of Staff’s presentation, the highly innovative PPA design was expected to reach the system design review (SDR) and critical design review (CDR) milestones in May 2016 and February 2017 respectively in order to conduct acceptance and operational trials in light of a planned delivery date for the first-of-class (FoC) in 2021.
As the ‘one size fits all’ platform concept is designed to perform a wide spectrum of missions, the PPA units are to be delivered in both ‘light’ and ‘full’ configurations (FOC L and FOC F). Although the overall plan covers only six platforms (five FOC L and one FOC F PPA), Admiral De Giorgi spoke about 6-7 PPA depending on the platform configuration and relevant acquisition costs. The other hulls would be delivered one each in 2022, 2023 and 2025, with two in 2024. The FOC F variant will be ship number four (to be delivered in 2024).
The Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel (PPA) is a highly flexible ship that can accomplish multiple functions, from patrol with sea rescue capability to Civil Protection operations, and - in its most highly equipped version - act as a first line combatant. The ship can have different combat system configurations: starting from a “light” version for the patrol task, integrated for self-defence, to a “full” version, equipped for a complete defence ability. The vessel is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) up to 11 meters long, through its lateral cranes or its hauling ramp located astern.
The new class of "offshore patrollers" to be implemented with the modular concept (with rapid embarkation and disembarkation of shelters containing armaments and equipment) will initially consist of 10 units, 6 in light (light) and 4 versions ( full).
Units with similar basic characteristics but with tonnage, equipment, weapons, equipment (and costs) very different to cope with various types of mission. A choice made necessary by the Navy's need to replace 6 classes of different units of between 1,285 and 5,700 tons: the 2 Durand de La Penne destroyers, the 8 Minerva corvettes divided into two series of 4 units, the 6 class Cassiopea and Sirio patrol boats and the 4 ex-frigates Lupo (originally destined for Iraq) downgraded to Soldati class team patrols.
The Italian Navy’s new Paolo Thaon di Revel Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) multipurpose offshore patrol ship was launched at a 15 June 2019 ceremony at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Muggiano – La Spezia, Italy, and will be delivered to the Italian Navy in 2021.
“A total of seven PPA ships will be built by Fincantieri by 2026, and GE has a contract to provide seven LM2500+G4 gas turbines,” said Mike Reale, Acting Vice President, General Manager, GE Marine, Evendale, Ohio. “The LM2500+G4, with an ISO rating of 35.3 MW and United States Navy rating of 30.3 MW, has found success in the naval market thanks to its selection to power 20 French and Italian FREMM ships and the seven Italian PPA’s. There is interest in the U.S. and abroad in propulsion and generator set applications that rely on the LM2500+G4’s best-in-class power density that is improved with the use of GE’s new fully-shock-qualified, lightweight composite gas turbine module.”
On March 13, 2021 the launch of the third Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship (PPA) “Raimondo Montecuccoli” took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genoa). The ceremony, held in a restricted format and in full compliance with anti-contagion requirements, was attended by Sen. Stefania Pucciarelli, the Italian Undersecretary of Defence representing the Minister Lorenzo Guerini, Adm. Eduardo Serra, Italian Navy Logistic Commander, and Giuseppe Giordo, General manager of the Naval Vessel division of Fincantieri. Godmother of the ship was Mrs. Anna Maria Pugliese, daughter of Admiral Stefano Pugliese, who was Commander of the light cruiser “Montecuccoli”, which entered into service in 1935 and was uncommissioned from the Italian Navy fleet in 1964.
This vessel, third of seven, will be delivered in 2023 and it is 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 (“Naval Act”) under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).
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