In a significant advancement for European defense collaboration, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and Spain’s Navantia have formalized a memorandum of understanding to create a joint venture aimed at supporting the multinational European Patrol Corvette (EPC) program. This initiative is bolstered by the European Union’s Permanent Structured Cooperation framework and the European Defence Fund, focusing on the development of a unified and interoperable surface fleet for the military forces of Italy, Spain, France, and Greece.
The new joint venture, contingent upon the completion of final transactional agreements and necessary approvals, will lead the design work for the Full Combat Multipurpose variant of the EPC. Additionally, it is set to explore potential market opportunities with other European partners. Following the design phase, the venture will transition into prototyping, concurrently addressing the Long-Range Multipurpose Patrol model, which represents the second configuration under the EPC initiative.
The venture promotes open participation for additional companies, aimed at fostering industrial growth while targeting the integration of next-generation warships by the year 2030. In total, the EPC initiative includes more than 40 companies across 12 countries.
Ricardo Domínguez, Chairman of Navantia, emphasized the vital role of the industry in fortifying Europe’s defense capabilities. He remarked that the collaboration between Navantia and Fincantieri represents a significant enhancement of these capabilities, aimed at defining a new class of multipurpose, innovative, interoperable, and cybersecure corvettes tailored not only for the Spanish Navy and the Marina Militare but also for other European navies.
The EPC system, also referred to as the Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette, is designed to measure approximately 110 meters (361 feet) in length, with a draft of 6 meters (20 feet). It will employ a combined diesel and electric propulsion system enabling speeds of up to 26 knots (approximately 48 kilometers or 30 miles per hour). The armament of these vessels will be customized according to the requirements of the respective countries, and provisions are made for carrying a maritime helicopter, such as the NH90.
Fincantieri’s CEO and managing director, Pierroberto Folgiero, articulated the broader vision for the EPC, describing it as “more than a ship”—labeling it a strategic platform for interoperability, innovation, and security, which has the potential to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of European nations as a unified force.
