Italy signs contract for new DDX destroyers worth 3.7 billion euros

Italy is about to acquire a new destroyer "DDX" with a displacement of more than 10,000 tons. (Taken from OSN official website)

[Reporter Tu Jumin/Comprehensive Report] The Italian Navy’s new-generation large destroyer project has taken a critical step. Foreign military news websites reported that the European Organization for Joint Arms Cooperation (OCCAR) has partnered with Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri and military industry giant Li A joint venture established by Leonardo signed a DDX destroyer contract with a total value of 3.7 billion euros (approximately NT$133.7 billion). The two new ships are expected to be delivered in 2033 and 2035 respectively to strengthen the Italian Navy's air defense and anti-missile capabilities.

Foreign military news website "Defense News" reported that Fincantieri and Leonardo jointly established Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN). The two manufacturers stated that the DDX project will achieve a substantial generational leap in ship platforms and combat systems, and strengthen the Italian Navy's air defense and missile defense capabilities.

It is worth noting that the tonnage of Italy's new generation destroyer is considerable. According to the latest information released by Fincantieri, the new ship has a displacement of up to 13,500 tons, a total length of 180 meters, and a range of 4,000 nautical miles (about 7,408 kilometers). The combat system will be equipped with a new generation of SADOC 5 command and control system, a high-power all-digital S-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and an MBDA missile weapon system to build an integrated air defense and missile defense capability that can respond to general missiles, ballistic missiles and even hypersonic threats.

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According to public information, the new ship will also introduce a large number of digital and automated technologies. In addition to having energy storage and new ship management systems, it can also integrate surface and underwater unmanned vehicles to strengthen the detection and response capabilities of air, surface and underwater threats. It shows that the new ship will not only focus on traditional regional air defense, but also develop into multi-domain combat nodes.

DDX will replace the "Horizon" class destroyers of the Italian Navy. In addition to acquiring two new destroyers, there will be room for the purchase of another two in the future. After the lifespan of the active "Horizon class" destroyers expires, the Italian Navy will still be able to maintain the scale of four large destroyers.