France And Italy Ink MoU For The MLU Of Horizon Destroyers.
During the Paris Air Show 2023, France and Italy today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the mid-life update (MLU) of the Horizon type Air Defense destroyers of the French Navy (Marine Nationale) and Italian Navy (Marina Militare).
The visit of the Secretary General of Defense and National Armaments Director, Army Corps General Luciano Portolano, to the 54th International Paris Air Show (SIAE2023) in Paris was an opportunity to meet the Delegate General Adjunct of the French defense procurement agency, DGA General Thierry Carlier, and jointly sign both the Capability Roadmap, concerning procurement and the identification of possible cooperation programs between the parties, and the Memorandum of Understanding relating to Mid-Life Upgrade of the Horizon class naval units, which provides for their modernization by the Joint Venture NAVIRIS.
The activities derive from the Quirinale Treaty, signed in Naples in February 2020 between the Italian Prime Minister and the French President, which identifies possible cooperation programs between the parties to intensify dialogue in the technical and operational sectors of defense and develop cooperation in the area of capacity building of common interest. Furthermore, it also foresees the commitment to strengthen cooperation between the respective defense and security industries, promoting structural alliances, and strengthening collaboration in the space sector, in order to improve the capabilities of operating jointly in space.
The bilateral meeting, held in an atmosphere of cordiality and great friendship, made it possible not only to consolidate the excellent relations inherent in bilateral cooperation with France in the specific procurement sector, but also to give greater impetus to the technological and industrial capabilities strategic for both countries through participation in international development programs.
Naviris, the 50/50 owned joint venture by Fincantieri and Naval Group, has signed in 2020 a contract with OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) for a feasibility study on the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the four Horizon type Air Defense Destroyers (designated frigates in the French and Italian navies).
Naval News understands that both countries have agreed on the following regarding the upgrade of the radar systems: The EMPAR (European Multifunction Phased Array Radar) rotating C band multifunction passive electronically scanned array radar currently fitted with be replaced with the Kronos Grand Naval by Leonardo (while initially France was pitching the rotating SeaFire by Thales). The legacy SMART L long range radar will make place for the newer and much improved SMART L MM by Thales (while initially Italy was pitching the Kronos Power Shield by Leonardo).
The MLU program includes the adoption of the new ASTER B1NT surface to air missile by MBDA which is set to bring Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability. Contacted by Naval News during Paris Air Show, Eurosam declined to comment. ASTER B1NT will intercept short-range or ballistic missiles having a range of up to 1500 km. While a milestone achieved last year with this missile relates to the land-based SAMP/T systems (of the French and Italian Army), the missile is set to eventually be deployed aboard air defense destroyers of the UK (Type 45), France and Italy (Horizon-class). Studies for the integration of Aster 30 B1NT missiles aboard the Forbin-class (to provide them with Ballistic Missile Defence BMD capability) are provisioned in the 2019-2025 French military planning law.
Source: Naval News
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