Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched Raimondo Montecuccoli (P432), the third of seven new Italian Navy Thaon di Revel-class (PPA) multipurpose offshore patrol ships.

Photo: Fincantieri

The ceremony, held in a restricted format and in full compliance with COVID-19 requirements, took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso, Genoa, on 13 March 2021.

Scheduled for delivery in 2023, the newbuild is part of the navy’s fleet renewal plan. The plan, approved by the country’s government and parliament, was launched in May 2015 under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement), the international organization for cooperation on arms.

Back in November 2018, Fincantieri held a keel laying ceremony for the third PPA unit at the aforementioned shipyard.