The Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri and the builder Navantia have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly coordinate and execute the project European Patrol Corvette (EPC). The European corvette EPC is part of the PESCO framework, one of the most important European defence initiatives ambitious projects, and is supported by the European Defence Fund (European Defence Fund - EDF), through the Multi Mission programme Patrol Corvette (MMPC). The aim of the project is to conceive and develop a modular, multi-role and interoperable corvette, led by Italy, Spain, France and Greece, with the involvement of of 46 companies from 12 countries.

The program is currently in Call 1, approved EDF in the 2021 call. This phase aims to obtain a project certified and to create a prototype platform for each of the two versions provided: Full Combat Multipurpose (version from combat) and Long Range Multipurpose (patrol). In the Call 2023, EDF has allocated €154 million for the EPC (Call 2), dedicated to the design and at the start of prototyping.

With the agreement, Fincantieri and Navantia undertake to manage and jointly execute the programme through a joint venture that will be open to the participation of the other partners of the project. In addition, the two companies will drive the advancement of the program by collaborating in the design of the Full version Combat Multipurpose of the EPC and will jointly evaluate export opportunities to other European partners. The The establishment of the joint venture will be subject to the improvement of the contractual documentation and the fulfilment of the conditions precedent of practice.

"This agreement - underlined the administrator delegate and general manager of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero - represents a decisive step in the EPC programme, a project that embodies the spirit of cooperation and technological excellence European Championships. By joining forces with Navantia, we are not only responding to the needs of our Marinas, but we are laying the foundations for a new standards in European maritime defence. The EPC is more of a ship: it is a strategic platform for interoperability, innovation and security, capable of strengthening Europe's operational capabilities in its complex. Our joint venture testifies to the ability to to promote progress and cohesion, transforming the vision in concrete solutions for the future of European defence".

"The industry - said the president of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez - plays a key role in the construction of European defence. Through our collaboration, Navantia and Fincantieri are giving a boost to Europe's defence capabilities. We will work Together to define a new class of multi-role corvettes innovative, interoperable and secure from an IT point of view, that meet the requirements not only of the Spanish Navy and of the Italian one, but also of other European navies".