OCCAR has placed on January 30th a new Logistic Support Ship (LSS) contract for 1.7 b€ (VAT incl.) on behalf of the French Defence procurement agency “Direction générale de l’armement” (DGA).

In accordance with the French Defence planning law 2019-2025, this contract will enable the French Navy to progressively phase out the current ageing logistic fleet and commission 4 brand new vessels, the first two of which shall be delivered by 2025.

The launching ceremony of the Italian FREMM Spartaco Schergat, another significant milestone for the FREMM programme in the framework of the joint Italian-French cooperation programme managed by OCCAR, was held on 26th January 2019 at the FINCANTIERI integrated shipyard in Riva Trigoso.

Under the supervision of the OCCAR FREMM Programme Division and the Italian Naval Directorate (NAVARM), the FREMM programme is moving quickly toward completion, given the tenth and last Frigate, Emilio Bianchi, will be launched within a year.

On 25 January the Chief of the Italian Navy, Adm. Valter Girardelli  thoroughly visited the PPA1 in the FINCANTIERI Shipyard of La Spezia, accompanied by the Chief of the Navy Fleet, Adm. Donato Marzano .

The end of 2018 saw a number a number of important milestones identified in the Programme Management Plan achieved by the FSAF-PAAMS Programme for the Sustainment & Enhancement Programme and for In-Service Support.