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Portugal-Italy naval frigate procurement

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-10 16:46 UTC → 2026-08-12 02:01 UTC · added removed

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 August mid-August 2026, the deal faced intense scrutiny from Portuguese opposition parties Chega and the Socialist Party (PS) regarding transparency and the potential exclusion of private intermediaries. Specifically, reports 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, and the Portuguese Navy clarified that stating the acquisition is a state-to-state agreement under the EU SAFE programme, meaning there is leaving no context for commercial intermediaries 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 this institutional intergovernmental arrangement. Portugal.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-12 02:01 UTC Portugal-Italy naval frigate procurement
  2. 2026-08-10 16:46 UTC Portugal-Italy naval frigate procurement

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