European shipbuilding companies to team up to create joint EPC corvette

Last week, on 4 November, during the Euronaval exhibition in Paris, leading European shipbuilders officially signed an agreement on the second phase of the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) project.

Here's What We Know

One of the largest shipbuilding companies Navantia (Spain), Fincantieri (Italy) and Naval Group (France) will jointly promote the Modular and Multipurpose Patrol Corvette (MMPC) project.

The Greek engineering company HYDRUS is also expected to join the consortium, further strengthening inter-European cooperation in the field of maritime defence.

The EPC project, launched on 3 June 2019 as a joint initiative of France and Italy, aims to create a versatile corvette platform to meet a wide range of defence and patrol missions in European waters.

The first phase of the MMPC project, called Call 1, was funded in 2021 through the European Defence Fund (EDF) following a proposal submitted by the Naviris and Navantia consortium.

In May 2024, the European Commission allocated €154.5 million for the second phase, Call 2, initiated by Fincantieri, Naval Group, Navantia, Naviris and HYDRUS. This phase, which will run from 2025 to 2029, involves the detailed design and start of production of two prototypes: one LRM and one FCM corvette.

France and Spain are interested in the LRM version, which is designed for long-term patrols and overseas operations, while Greece and Italy plan to use the FCM combat version for operations in the Mediterranean, including high-risk areas.

The LRM corvette, designed for long-range patrolling, will have an advanced radar, combat control system, short- and medium-range air defence missiles and a top speed of up to 24 knots.

The FCM corvette will be equipped with additional anti-ship missiles and torpedo and drone countermeasures, with the ability to reach speeds of up to 26 knots.

The differences between the LRM and FCM versions also relate to the propulsion system, sensor systems and weapon configurations, which are tailored to meet national defence needs.

Source: Defence Industry Europe