Italy’s navy is set to receive a significant upgrade with the addition of five new minehunter vessels, thanks to a major contract signed on Friday between Leonardo and Intermarine. The deal, valued at up to 2.6 billion euros ($2.82 billion), marks a substantial investment in Italy’s maritime defense capabilities.
Leonardo, a leading defense group, and Intermarine, a naval unit of Immsi, have agreed on a comprehensive contract that includes not only the construction of the minehunter vessels but also extensive logistics support. The contract is divided into 1.6 billion euros for the vessels themselves and an additional 1 billion euros for various optional services and support.
Intermarine will oversee the production of the 63-meter ships at its shipyards in Sarzana. The company will handle the bulk of the contract, with a 73% share. Leonardo will contribute 27% of the contract value, focusing on providing the combat and communications systems for the new minehunters.
The new vessels are part of Italy’s broader strategy to modernize its naval forces amid rising international tensions and increasing maritime threats. The upgrade reflects a commitment to enhancing the country’s defensive capabilities in a rapidly evolving security environment.
Following the announcement, shares in Immsi surged by over 16%, and Leonardo’s stock increased by 2.3%, reflecting positive market reactions to the deal. The new minehunters are expected to significantly boost Italy’s naval operational effectiveness and security in the coming years.
Equipped with modern combat systems including mine hunting sonar and integrated control systems for unmanned vehicles, these minehunters will be capable of a broad range of missions.
