Naval Group, Fincantieri and Navantia sign the European corvette’s next design phase
Naval Group, Fincantieri and Navantia signed the consortium agreement for EPC2, the next development phase of the European Patrol Corvette. The programme is moving towards detailed design and technology integration. France's requirements remain unsettled as it considers replacements for overseas surveillance frigates whose service has been extended to 2034; the signing does not specify French ship orders.
Geopolitics··Morning
Three shipbuilders sign the EPC2 agreement
French shipbuilder Naval Group, Italy's Fincantieri and Spain's Navantia signed a consortium agreement for the second development phase of the European Patrol Corvette programme.[1], [2]
The EPC2 agreement was signed at Euronaval, a naval industry exhibition. It advances work on a common design that participating navies can adapt to their missions. Fincantieri said the phase covered preliminary and detailed ship design and the integration of new technologies.[1]
European studies precede detailed ship design
France, Italy and Greece launched the project in 2019 under the European Union's Permanent Structured Cooperation framework; Spain and Romania joined subsequently. Designs for a ship of approximately 3,000 tonnes have addressed surface warfare, offshore patrol and long-duration missions. In 2022, European armaments organisation OCCAR awarded an 87 million euro concept and feasibility contract to Navantia and Naviris, the Naval Group–Fincantieri joint venture. An anticipated second-phase launch at Euronaval 2024 did not take place.[1]
France extends the service of its existing frigates
France has linked the programme to replacing six Floréal-class surveillance frigates used overseas since the 1990s. Its updated 2024–2030 military programming law extended their service to 2034. Navy chief Admiral Christophe Cluzel told a parliamentary hearing that future corvettes needed protection against air, submarine and surface threats, alongside endurance for overseas distances. The consortium signing specifies neither a French ship quantity nor a final French configuration.[1]
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