TRIESTE – The National Armaments Directors of Italy and Greece have signed a preliminary agreement for the transfer, through Fincantieri, of two naval units to the Hellenic Navy, currently in service with the Italian Navy.
The signing took place during the opening day of the Seafuture exhibition in La Spezia, in the presence of Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, and Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino.
“The agreement represents a significant step in cooperation between Italy and Greece, while at the same time confirming the strategic value of Italian naval units built by Fincantieri, recognized internationally as an excellence of the national defense shipbuilding industry, and promoting collaboration, interoperability and joint industrial development in the maritime domain,” read a press note.
The final contract, subject to customary authorizations, will also include a support package, which Fincantieri will be able to manage thanks to its know-how and established expertise in after-sales services. It is also expected that these two ships will be replaced with new orders in the near future.
“Our cutting-edge naval vessels represent a platform of excellence recognized worldwide and an extraordinary vehicle of geopolitical export. This preliminary agreement,” commented Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri, “is further evidence of the international relevance of the Italian system in both military and industrial terms. It confirms the importance and strategic strength of the partnership with the Italian Navy. It also underlines Fincantieri’s central role in strengthening industrial cooperation among allied countries and in supporting the international projection of Italy’s Defense sector, consolidating the Group’s position as a benchmark in European naval shipbuilding”.
