Officially Italy has given the go-ahead for the sale of the two Fremm frigates to Egypt
June 8 2020
Italy has given the go-ahead for the sale of the two Fremm frigates to Egypt in these hours. ANSA learns this from qualified sources close to the dossier. The agreement between Rome and Cairo would have arrived just yesterday following the phone call between the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and the Egyptian leader at Sisi. The same sources report that the decision would have already been shared with the top management of Fincantieri.
This contract is a prelude to a long-term strategic military cooperation between Egypt and Italy that may include moving forward in signing the following armament contracts during the coming period:
- 4
FREMM frigates to be built specifically for Egypt (the contract may include the transfer of construction technology locally ).
- 20
PPA launch / multi-mission ship (type has not been determined yet) + transfer of technology to build locally in the Egyptian marine arsenal.
- 24
Eurofighter Typhoon fighter.
- 24
Aermacchi M-346 light combat and advanced training aircraft (OCU / Light Combat Aircraft LCA).
- 1
SAR satellite (Radar Imaging Satellite).
These contracts will be the responsibility of Fincantieri Shipbuilding, Leonardo Aerospace, Defense and Security Industries and MBDA for the missile and ammunition industries.
https://www.ilmessaggero.it/mondo/egitto_italia_vendita_fregate_fremm_news_oggi_cairo-5275880.html
Bergamini class (FREMM) frigates of the Italian Navy

Italian Navy Bergamini class FREMM variants in formation
Bergamini class is the Italian variant of the Frigate European Multi-Mission (FREMM) class, a class of frigates designed by the French DCNS and the Italian Ficantieri in a joint program to replace the existing destroyers and frigates within the French and Italian navies. As we mentioned in the article about the French variant, the
Aquitaine class, the frigates between the two navies share some general characteristics, weapons and systems but also have several differences in the equipment related to propulsion system, electronic equipment and weapons following the different requirements of both navies. The Italian Navy (Marina Militare Italiana) is building two variants/versions of
Bergamini class frigates, one for ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) role and one for General Purpose (GP) role; in this article both variants will be described. Italian Navy aims to replace the eight (8) frigates of
Maestrale class and the four (4) frigates of the
Lupo class with ten (10) Bergamini class which are devided in three variants including the AAW for the last pair of ships. Bergamini class is a class of stealth frigates with advanced Anti-Aircraft Warfare (AAW) capabilities featuring a common sensor and weapons package based on MBDA’s SAAM-ESD (Extended Self-Defence) area defence system, including Selex ES MFRA EMPAR-derived C-band multifunction radar with active phased array antenna and Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles in A50silos. EMPAR MFRA is an evolved version of the EMPAR radar (embarked on Orizzonte class destroyers and the Cavour aircraft carrier). In addition to that, each variant is specialized in a specific role, GP or ASW, with increased equipment to perform this particular role.

The first and second Bergamini FREMM during sea tests. Photo: orizzontesn.it
The general characteristics of the class is a displacement of 6,900tons, length of 144.6m, beam of about 20m, maximum speed of 30knots and range of 6,700n.m. with a cruising speed of 15knots. The ship has a crew of 145 persons (GP variant) or 147 persons (ASW variant) while 9 more persons are added to the crew for a second helicopter on board. The vessels can accomodate up to 200 people in total. Each vessel can accommodate one or two NH90 ASW helicopters or one NH90 and one EH101 helicopters, and/or UAVs Moreover, each ship carries two Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB)s for commando operations (one of 7m at the right side, starboard, and one of 11m at the left side, port) while the GP variant carries one more RHIB of 11m in the stern launching ramp instead of a Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) in ASW variant.

Modified photo of a Bergamini class frigate GP variant of the Italian Navy. High resolution image
here.

STRALES in front of VLS

STRALES system, notice the frame
that covers the RFG system