The innovative and flexible Italian Paolo Thaon di Revel–class patrol ships are more than just multipurpose warships—they are multiconfigurational. Each ship can be configured into one of three different variants. The baseline “Light” configuration is suited for patrol and humanitarian operations, while a “Light-Plus” configuration adds some missile capabilities. A comprehensive “Full” variant is optimized for modern high-intensity operations, incorporating extensive antiair, antisurface, and antisubmarine sensors and weapons. The Light and Light-Plus patrol ships are fitted for, but not with, all major systems. According to the European Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation, which integrates the program, lighter variants can “easily” be upgraded to heavier configurations over the course of a vessel’s service life.
Built by Fincantieri at its Muggiano-Riva Trigoso integrated shipyard, the Paolo Thaon di Revel class is also known as the MPCS (multipurpose combat ship) or by its Italian designation PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura), which translates as multipurpose offshore patrol vessel. The lead ship Paolo Thaon di Revel was launched in 2019 and delivered in March 2022. The Francesco Morosini followed in October 2022. These first two PPAs were commissioned in the basic Light configuration. In September 2023, the third unit, the Raimondo Montecuccoli, was delivered in Light-Plus configuration. The fourth ship, the Giovanni delle Bande Nere, was delivered in Full configuration in October 2024.
In March 2024, Indonesia ordered two PPAs in the Light-Plus configuration. The Indonesian fleet is expected to take delivery of those fifth and sixth ships beginning in 2025. A seventh unit, the Domenico Millelire, was launched in July 2024 and is planned to deliver in 2026 as a Full-configuration unit for Italian service. At least two additional ships of a new proposed and even
more impressive “EVO” configuration with expanded vertical launch system (VLS) capacity, likely will be ordered by Italy to replace the two Indonesian export units.
All PPA variants have a helicopter flight deck and hangar to accommodate two SH90/NH90 naval helicopters or one AW101 helicopter. Rigid-hull inflatable boats can be deployed from the stern or amidships. Gun armament consists of a 5-inch gun forward, a 3-inch gun atop the hangar facing aft, and two 25-mm remote systems. Full and Light-Plus variants are outfitted with two eight-cell A50 Sylver VLSs containing shorter-range Aster-15 and longer-range Aster-30 surface-to-air missiles. Full configuration ships are the only variants to carry two triple torpedo tube launchers for antisubmarine warfare and eight Teseo Mk2/E antiship missiles, which have secondary land-attack capabilities and a range of more than 180 nautical miles (nm).
The PPA configurations also have a sliding scale of increasingly advanced systems and sensors, including options for AESA radars, decoy launchers, and towed sonar. They have a top speed of 32 knots and a range of 5,000 nm cruising at 15 knots. The ships are powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, driving two controllable-pitch propellers. PPAs are 469 feet long, with a 54-foot beam. While crew size and displacement vary depending on configuration, accommodations are available for 181 personnel, and displacement is specified as approximately 6,000 tons.
