The Italian Job: GE Marine and Rolls-Royce are going head-to-head in the battle to secure a lucrative contract for the Italian navy's fleet renewal

摘要

The Italian government's plans to build a new series of naval ships have incited a war between two major OEMs. The project, which received an initial budget of ?5.4 billion, will see the construction of Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura (PPA) multipurpose vessels - six ships with an option for a further four -as well as one logistics support ship (LSS); one landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessel; and two ocean minehunters. Although vessel construction has been contracted to Fincantieri (boosting the local economy), the yard is yet to select a supplier for the propulsion systems, with GE Marine and Rolls-Royce both vying for the project. The government is expected to get involved in the selection process to ensure cost effectiveness across the entire project.