Fincantieri has announced that it has signed a €1.18 billion contract with Indonesia to supply two Pattugliatore Polivalente d’ Altura (PPA) vessels. Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence signed the contract. The ships initially ordered for the Italian Navy are now being built and fitted out at the Integrated Shipyard in Riva Trigoso-Muggiano.
The PPA vessels, originally designed for the Italian Navy, boast advanced anti-submarine capabilities. They are equipped with two triple B-515/3 torpedo launchers for MU-90 Impact torpedoes, with a maximum range of 23 km at 12 knots or Black Arrow, both 324 mm. The Light and Light+ versions, while not incorporating the torpedo tubes, still maintain the installation infrastructure of the B-515/3.
These PPA vessels are not just about power and defence. They also showcase their versatility by being able to operate high-speed watercraft such as RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) up to 11 metres long. This is made possible through launching by lateral cranes or a hauling ramp at the far stern, demonstrating their adaptability in various maritime operations.
The Light and Light+ versions incorporate the necessary infrastructure to upgrade to the Full level. The ship’s appearance is characterized by the WPB (Wave Piercing Bow) bow design, which has an elongated bow section under the sea that “opens” the water and reduces the bow’s entry angle. It also increases the length of the horizontal line. The WPB design improves the ship’s top speed and increases its stability in rough seas by suppressing the vertical motion of the bow.
The armament and electronic equipment of the ships is a function of version, but all versions share some common systems and weapons. The common armament of all versions consists of an OTO Melara 127/64 LW (Light-Weight) gun with a maximum range of 120 km and capable of firing the Vulcano guided munition with a maximum range of 100 km in the GLR (Guided Long Range) version, an OTO Melara gun 76/62 Sovraponte (no deck piercing) maximum range of 20km with SAPOMER or 40mm with Vulcano ammunition.
The gun also incorporates the Strales system with anti-aircraft capabilities (using DART ammunition) and two 25mm KBA B06 cannons with a maximum range of 5.85 km and a maximum effective range of 3.02 km. In the Full and Light+ versions, the anti-aircraft defence of the ships is based on 16 (2 x 8) SYLVER A50 vertical launch cells for 16 Aster-15/30 anti-aircraft missiles with a maximum range of 30+ and 120 km, respectively or an equal number of CAMM-ER (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile-Extended Range) with a maximum range of 40 kilometres.
