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France, Italy Agree To Start 11-Bln-Euro Frigate-Building Programme
Paris (AFP) Oct 04, 2005 French President Jacques Chirac and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi agreed Tuesday to launch an ambitious joint frigate-building programme that will be one of Europe's biggest-ever naval projects. The two leaders, meeting in Paris, authorised the first stage of the previously announced programme, which is to ultimately build 27 frigates at a total cost of 11 billion euros (13 billion dollars), Chirac's spokesman, Jean-Francois Bureau, said. The initial phase will see eight frigates built for France at a cost of 3.5 billion euros and partial construction of one frigate for Italy at a cost of 400 million euros. The initiative, known as the Renaissance project in Italy and the FREMM (European Multi-Mission Frigates) project in France, represents a key step towards the development of European and NATO rapid reaction forces, which would rely on the ships to project military power. France is to take 17 of the vessels -- some which will be suited to land-attack missions -- while Italy will take 10. The first of the frigates are expected to be ready for service in five years' time, with the last hitting the water in 2020. Although Chirac announced the go-ahead, and Berlusconi confirmed it, the Italian prime minister did not sign the formal agreement at the last minute "because of technical problems between Italian ministries," an official close the French defence ministry said. "It will be signed in the coming days," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. Funding for the massive project had looked threatened by the financial straits of the two countries, which are struggling with poor economic performance and requirements to stay within deficit restrictions imposed by their membership in the eurozone. Italy's government, in particular, initially dragged its heels in allocating the money, but relented under pressure from Italian military chiefs who feared France might go it alone and Italy would be left with an obsolete fleet -- its current frigates will be retired in four years -- and a defence industry starved of contracts. The frigates are set to be conventionally powered vessels outfitted with automated systems requiring around 100 crew members. Measuring 140 metres (460 feet) long and 20 metres wide with a draught of five metres and a weight of 5,600 tonnes, they will be capable of a top speed of 27.6 knots and can carry a helicopter. Each will have sophisticated electronics detection and defence systems featuring radar and infra-red technology, comunications gear, sonar and anti-aircraft and anti-submarine missiles. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com
Polish Defense Ministry Procures Elisra's EJAB For Its Forces In Iraq
Bene-Berak, Israel (SPX) Jan 09, 2006Elisra Electronic Systems, a member of The Elisra Group, has received an order estimated at $3 million from the Polish Ministry of Defense for its unique EJAB system. |
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