Italy is set to formally launch the procurement process for two next-generation destroyers for the Italian Navy on February 18, with the program valued at approximately €2.7 billion ($3.17 billion). The new surface combatants will be built by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) and are intended to replace the aging Durand de la Penne-class destroyers, which have been in service since the early 1990s.
Designated the DDX class, the destroyers represent an evolutionary step from the FREMM Evolution frigates currently under construction for the Italian Navy, themselves derived from the proven FREMM multipurpose frigate design. The program traces its origins to 2020, when Italy commissioned an initial study to define requirements and assess technical risks. While early planning envisioned a production contract by 2023, challenges in finalizing operational requirements delayed the process by nearly three years.
According to previously disclosed specifications, the DDX destroyers will measure approximately 175 meters in length, with a 24-meter beam and a 9-meter draught, and will accommodate a crew of more than 300 personnel. The vessels are expected to achieve speeds exceeding 30 knots and will be powered by a CODOGAL propulsion system, combining diesel, gas turbine, and electric drive to enhance efficiency and operational flexibility.
In terms of combat capability, the ships are expected to feature six eight-cell vertical launch system modules for Aster surface-to-air missiles, significantly strengthening fleet air defense. The destroyers are also anticipated to possess land-attack capability, potentially via a navalized SCALP cruise missile or the Teseo Mk2/Evolved missile, which offers strike options in littoral environments. Aviation facilities will include a flight deck and hangar capable of operating two EH101 or two SH90 helicopters, supporting anti-submarine, surveillance, and strike missions.
