As I have been a fan of the FREMM frigate since 2009, no shock to readers that I was quite happy it made the final-5 for FFG(X).
On so many levels it is the right choice – but the greatest advantage it has is the minimal program risk. We threw away almost two decades on vapor-ware, personality based wishing, and blinkered programmatic inertia that were the cornerstones of the Age of Transformationalism that begat our port-and-starboard albatrosses; LCS & DDG-1000.
Enough of my take, give Tom Kington’s interview at DefenseNews with Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono a read. Of course Bono is not quite an objective source, but he knows the strongest card in his hand. No one can deny this simple fact;
Why should the U.S. pick the FREMM frigate for the FFG(X) program?
It is the only ship in operation. We offer a ship that exists and is well proven while the others offer ships that have yet to be designed.
Just as we have built general purpose versions and anti-submarine versions for Italy, we could offer different versions to the U.S. At our shipyard in the U.S., where we are building the LCS with Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy, we are set to build four LCS vessels for Saudi Arabia plus four options, which proves that Fincantieri can be part of the development of a naval vessel for the U.S., which the U.S. can then export around the world.
If the Marines can go German because we failed domestically, then the Navy should be able to go French/Italian for the same reason.
Let’s cut steel.
