European consortiums Naviris and Eurosam have successfully completed a critical design review for the Horizon frigate mid-life upgrade program, marking a significant milestone in the transition to the production phase of the project. This ambitious program is designed to modernize the Horizon-class warships currently serving in the French and Italian navies, with upgrades set to take place between 2026 and 2030.
The Horizon-class vessels, each measuring 153 meters (501 feet), were originally delivered to the French and Italian navies between 2009 and 2011. With these mid-life enhancements, the operational capabilities of these warships will be significantly improved, extending their effective service life and ensuring they remain competitive in modern naval operations.
The upgrade initiative, awarded in 2023, is primarily led by a partnership between Naviris and Eurosam, with substantial support from key industry players including Fincantieri, Naval Group, Leonardo, Thales, SiGen, and MBDA. Naviris is a joint venture formed between Naval Group and Fincantieri, while Eurosam is co-owned by MBDA France, MBDA Italy, and Thales Group.
A central component of the mid-life upgrade is the integration of the Aster missile-based Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) and advanced electronic warfare systems on the frigates. PAAMS features long-range radar capabilities and can intercept a diverse range of aerial threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, combat aircraft, and drones. The system employs the Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, which boast impressive ranges of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) and over 100 kilometers (62 miles), respectively.
The integration timeline for the new systems is strategically planned, beginning with the first Italian vessel in mid-2026, followed by the second vessel at the end of 2027. The modernization of the French vessels will commence with the first ship in mid-2028 and will conclude with the second ship’s upgrades by the end of 2029.
With these enhancements, the Horizon-class frigates are expected to bolster their respective navies’ defense capabilities significantly, representing a crucial step in the strategic maritime collaboration between France, Italy, and their key industrial partners.
