Fincantieri subsidiary gets US$1bn contract from US Navy

A Bergamini class frigate built by Italy-based firm Fincantieri. (Image: Fincantieri)

It will be the fifth and sixth ship built by FMM since 2020 as part of the Constellation-class of frigates that the Navy requested from the company.

The company originally signed on to construct the lead frigate with nine additional options available. Altogether, the value of the contract and options is $5.5 billion.

The two newest ships will be numbered FFG 66 and FFG 67 in the fleet, with the former already named the USS Hamilton.

“Fincantieri secured this high-profile tender, distinguishing itself among several major US shipyards thanks to a project considered as the most innovative and cutting-edge,” said the company.

The firm said the ships are based on a “multi-mission” European style of frigates (abbreviated “FREMM”).

“The group’s proposal is based on the FREMM frigate platform, globally recognized as the most technologically advanced, and the backbone of a ten-unit program for the Italian Navy which Fincantieri is completing at present at its Italian shipyards,” said the company.

Construction on the lead ship – the USS Constellation – of the line frigates is currently underway at the firm’s Lake Michigan shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin, US. Other ships currently under construction include the USS Congress, USS Chesapeake, and the USS Lafayette.