According to a PR published by Fincantieri on July 22, 2022, the steel cutting ceremony of the second Logistic Support Ship (LSS) for the Italian Navy, within a program including the option for a third ship, took place at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, where the LSS will be entirely built and delivered in 2025. The value of the contract is approx. 410 million euros including the combat system.
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Steel cutting ceremony for the second Vulcano class LSS (Picture source: Fincantieri)
As part of the multi-year program aimed at safeguarding Italy’s Defence at-sea capacity (known as the “Naval Act”), Fincantieri is currently building seven multi-purpose offshore patrol vessels (PPA) – the first one, “Thaon di Revel”, was delivered in March – and the “Trieste” Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD).
Last year the Group delivered the “Vulcano” LSS, a vessel launched at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard. That project was also acquired by the French Navy for the definition of the Flotlog program, a series of units built in partnership with the same shipyard.
The basic characteristic common to all three classes of ships is their very high level of innovation, which makes them extremely flexible in their various profiles of use with a high degree of efficiency.
Most importantly, it will be possible to use these units in a complementary way even for non-military-related activities, such as, for example, supporting civil protection in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Moreover, their environmental impact is low, thanks to advanced low pollution emission generators and electric-drive propulsion motors and biological waste control systems.
About the Vulcano class LSS
Vulcano is an auxiliary ship that entered service with the Italian Navy on 12 March 2021. She is designed to support fleet operations with fuel and dry stores.
Along with another future sister ship, she is expected to replace the replenishment oilers (AORs) Stromboli-class replenishment oiler. The Vulcano LSS is 192 meters long and can reach a top speed of 20 knots.
The ships are armed with two Oto Melara - Oerlikon KBA 25 mm/80 autocannon, two LRAS (Long Range Acoustic System) SITEP MS-424, and Oto Melara 76 mm/62 Strales naval gun.
