RIVA TRIGOSO, Italy : The Italian Navy has launched its next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Ugolino Vivaldi (P 440) at Fincantieri’s integrated shipyard in Riva Trigoso, marking a key milestone under the PPX (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura – eXtra) program. The vessel is the first of four units ordered to strengthen Italy’s maritime security, patrol, and environmental response capabilities.
The construction program is managed by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), a joint venture owned by Fincantieri (51 percent) and Leonardo (49 percent), under assignment from the Naval Armaments Directorate. The keel of Ugolino Vivaldi was laid in December 2024. With its launch, the ship introduces a new standard within Fincantieri’s FCX product family, reflecting updated design, automation, and multi-mission capabilities.
Technical Characteristics and Platform Design
The Ugolino Vivaldi has a full-load displacement of approximately 2,400 tons. The vessel measures 95 meters in overall length, with a maximum beam of 14.2 meters, a construction height of 8.4 meters, and a draft of 5.4 meters. It has been engineered to operate from a wide range of coastal and regional harbors, supporting flexible deployment across the Mediterranean and beyond.
The hull incorporates a bulbous bow to improve hydrodynamic efficiency and fuel economy. The forward mooring deck is fully enclosed, enhancing safety and operational continuity in adverse weather conditions. To maintain stability in high sea states, the vessel is fitted with active stabilizer fins located amidships, enabling improved seakeeping performance during patrol and operational missions.
Propulsion is based on a CODLAD (Combined Diesel-Electric and Diesel) configuration arranged on two shaft lines. This system allows efficient cruising under diesel-electric mode and higher-speed operation under diesel propulsion. The platform is capable of reaching speeds exceeding 24 knots.
Armament and Combat Systems
The primary armament consists of a Leonardo 76/62 mm Super Rapido naval gun in the Strales configuration, providing both surface and limited anti-air capabilities through guided ammunition integration. Secondary armament includes two 30 mm Lionfish remote-controlled weapon systems, enhancing close-range defensive capability.
The vessel integrates combat management and platform control systems developed through cooperation between Fincantieri NexTech and Leonardo, ensuring interoperability with broader Italian Navy command and control networks.
“Naval Cockpit” and Automation Integration
A central technological feature of the new OPV is the installation of the “Naval Cockpit”, a concept initially developed for the Italian Navy’s larger Multi-Purpose Combat Ships (PPA). Adapted for the PPX program, the Naval Cockpit consolidates ship handling, propulsion control, platform management, and selected combat functions into a single integrated workstation.
Located within the forward superstructure and complemented by extended bridge wings offering near 360-degree external visibility, the cockpit enables two operators — a pilot and a co-pilot — to manage navigation, engines, rudders, onboard systems, and specific operational functions.
The high degree of automation significantly reduces crew requirements. The ship’s core operational complement is approximately 70 personnel, while total accommodation capacity reaches 93. The additional berthing allows for embarked aviation detachments, boarding teams, or special forces units, depending on mission requirements.
Operational Roles and Environmental Response Capability
The PPX program was initiated to meet the Italian Navy’s requirement for versatile patrol vessels capable of performing maritime security tasks alongside environmental protection missions.
Primary operational roles include maritime patrol and surveillance, presence missions, merchant traffic control, protection of sea lines of communication, and safeguarding of Italy’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In addition to security functions, the Ugolino Vivaldi is configured to respond to marine pollution incidents. The vessel is equipped with onboard anti-pollution systems designed to address toxic liquid spills and oil contamination. These systems include chemical dispersant rods positioned over the bow and oil-skimmer modules for containment and recovery operations. Dedicated personnel are trained to operate these systems during environmental response missions.
Ceremony and Historical Dedication
The launch ceremony at Riva Trigoso was attended by senior military and regional officials. Participants included Vice Admiral Fabio Gregori, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy; Massimiliano Nannini, Chief of Staff of the Liguria Region; Francesco Solinas, Mayor of Sestri Levante; and Giovanni Sorrentino, Chief Executive Officer of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali.
The ship’s godmother was Alessandra Marsigli Cavriani, granddaughter of Lieutenant Commander Alessandro Cavriani. The officer was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor after being lost at sea in September 1943 while scuttling the original destroyer Ugolino Vivaldi during World War II.
With the launch of Ugolino Vivaldi (P 440), the Italian Navy advances the PPX program’s objective of fielding modern, highly automated patrol vessels capable of conducting multi-role missions, integrating maritime security, environmental protection, and operational flexibility within a reduced crew framework.
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