Intermarine and Leonardo have signed a 1.6-billion-euro ($1.73 billion) contract to deliver five next-generation mine hunters to the Italian Navy.
This includes integrated logistical support and an optional 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) for completing the program.
Intermarine’s contract share is 1.165 billion euros ($1.26 billion), or around 73 percent, while Leonardo’s is around 430 million euros ($466 million), corresponding to 27 percent.
A similar breakdown applies to the optional tranche.
New Generation Minehunters
The New Generation Minehunter/Coastal program offers cutting-edge seabed surveillance for the control and protection of critical underwater infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines and maritime data networks.
Intermarine will provide the platform and Leonardo the combat system, including a “cyber-resilient SADOC 4 command and control system, advanced radar and electro-optical sensors, a new broadband sonar with mine detection and classification capabilities, as well as an integrated multi-communications bandwidth and data link,” Leonardo explained.
Additional features include the integrated management of a range of unmanned vehicles.
The 63-meter (206 feet) vessel will have a displacement of 1,300 tons, a hull resistant to shock from underwater explosions, and a low magneto-acoustic signature.