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5 clusters · 34 sources · 23 days · First seen · Last updated

Portugal-Italy naval frigate procurement

Overview

In late July 2026, Portugal and Italy formalised a defence partnership that includes the purchase of three FREMM-EVO multi-purpose frigates, with a €3.9 billion contract signed by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The agreement, signed under the EU SAFE programme, provides for construction, technology transfer, logistical support, and a 30-year sustainment period. The acquisition aims to enhance Portuguese and European maritime surveillance, strategic autonomy, and Atlantic security while involving Portuguese industry in combat-system production.

On 25 July 2026, a ceremony at Fincantieri’s Riva Trigoso shipyard marked the cutting of the first steel plate for the second FREMM-EVO frigate. A Portuguese delegation led by Rear Admiral António Mateus attended, confirming the order for three frigates with deliveries scheduled for 2029-2030. The programme, managed by OCCAR, has already delivered ten units to Italy and eight to France.

By mid-August 2026, the deal faced intense scrutiny from opposition parties Chega and the Socialist Party (PS) regarding transparency and the potential exclusion of private intermediaries. Reports suggested the Portuguese company NTG, a long-time Fincantieri representative, was removed from the deal, potentially losing €90 million in commissions. Defense Minister Nuno Melo denied the existence of intermediaries, stating the acquisition is a state-to-state agreement under the EU SAFE programme, leaving no context for commercial intermediaries.

Following controversy involving deputy Pedro Frazão and the newspaper ‘24 Horas’, the Ministry of Defense guaranteed that the Assembly of the Republic and auditing bodies will have access to all official documents. Minister Melo stated he is available to provide clarifications to Parliament and noted that all maintenance for the acquired frigates will be conducted in Portugal.

Entities

Nuno Melo · Portuguese Ministry of Defense · Socialist Party · Fincantieri · Portuguese Navy

Timeline

  1. about 15 hours ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Portugal Defense Ministry to release frigate purchase documents

    Portugal's Ministry of Defense will grant Parliament access to documents regarding the purchase of three Italian frigates following political disputes over alleged lost commissions.

  2. 3 days ago

    [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Portugal faces scrutiny over €3.9 billion frigate deal with Fincantieri

    Portuguese opposition parties are demanding transparency over a €3.9 billion frigate deal with Italy's Fincantieri, while the government maintains it is a direct state-to-state agreement without private brokers

  3. 18 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Construction of second Fremm Evo frigate begins; Portugal secures three units

    Construction of the second Fremm Evo frigate starts in Italy; Portugal joins the program, ordering three units and boosting multinational naval cooperation.

  4. 21 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Portugal signs €3.9bn deal with Italy for three FREMM EVO frigates

    Portugal will buy three FREMM EVO frigates from Italy’s Fincantieri for €3.9 bn, with delivery set for 2029‑30 and a 30‑year support package.

  5. 23 days ago

    [POLITICS] 22 sources
    Portugal and Italy seal €3.9 bn frigate deal in bilateral defence pact

    Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni signed a defence pact in Rome, under which Portugal will buy three Italian FREMM‑EVO frigates for about €3.9 bn, boosting maritime capability

Sources

4jewish.com · calabrianews.it · cittadellaspezia.com · defence-industry.eu · defensa.com · dekriminalizimi.isp.com.al · dinheirovivo.pt · dmilt.com · dnoticias.pt · dobrapraxe.cz · eco.sapo.pt · egnews.it · emissoradasbeiras.pt · formiche.net · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt · konflikty.pl · lavoce.hr · liguria24.it · mantovauno.it · motor24.pt · notiziegeopolitiche.net · observador.pt · primapaginanews.it · pt.euronews.com · quotidianodibari.it · rr.pt · sapo.pt · savunmatr.com · strategie-technik.de · swiftlane.com · teleborsa.it · theatrefullstop.com · thebuddhadharma.com · vetrinatv.it

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history