Fincantieri Marine Group seeks new U.S. Navy frigate opportunities

Fincantieri Marine Group, the shipbuilder involved in the cancelled Constellation class frigate program, is seeking to re-enter the U.S. Navy's frigate business through new small surface combatant plans.

The company intends to propose its FREMM design, which served as the basis for the Constellation class, as an option for the Navy. Fincantieri Marine Group CEO George Moutafis suggested that the Navy and the administration could engage in dialogue to facilitate swift construction by using established designs to avoid the design issues that led to previous cancellations.

Moutafis noted that the shipyard's existing U.S. infrastructure and supply chains, developed during the Constellation program, could be utilized for the FREMM EVO design with minimal modifications. The Navy is currently reviewing at least three foreign frigate designs and considering the possibility of overseas construction as part of a study due next month.