The Italian Navy has awarded local shipbuilder Intermarine a contract for risk reduction and definition studies in connection with a planned series of mine countermeasures (MCM) vessels.
The 12 ships of this series are expected to replace the Italian Navy's existing four Lerici-class and eight similar Gaeta-class MCM vessels, which were originally built in the 1970s and 1980s.
If approved, the new minehunters will be built in 60-metre and 80-metre versions. Both versions will have ultra-thick FRP hulls, thus eliminating the need for reinforcing frames, and shells made of composite material.
The new vessels will also be capable of deploying unmanned vehicles for MCM operations.
