As part of the modernization of the Military Marina, the Italian Navy, the DDX program, two heavy destroyers to replace the two Durand de la Penne anti-aircraft frigates by 2030, is undoubtedly the most emblematic of Rome's new ambitions in this area.
Alongside the new FREMM frigates, the PPA escort patrol boats, the new mine warfare vessels and the Type 212 submarines, these two destroyers of more than 10.000 tonnes will provide the Marina Militare with unrivalled firepower across the entire Mediterranean basin, whether to escort the aircraft carriers Cavour and Trieste, the three new 15.000 tonne assault ships recently ordered, or to establish a denial of access zone.
New information about this program has recently been released, further reinforcing the exceptional nature of this program, promising to deliver the two most powerful European surface ships, while other navies, including the Royal Navy and the Bundesmarine, are also moving towards this type of super-destroyer.
Beyond the expected performance of the DDX, what are the advantages and capabilities of these new heavy destroyers, and do they really provide superior performance to that of modern frigates, which are more compact but much less expensive?
In this section:
Marina Militare DDX Program: 14000 tons, 80 VLS and an exceptional radar
From his announcement, in 2021, to replace the anti-aircraft destroyers of the Durand de la Penne class at the end of the decade, the DDX program, developed by Fincantieri for the Marina Militare, promises to become the most imposing, and most heavily armed, of the surface combatant ships of the European fleets.
If we are to believe the latest announcements regarding this program, it could well become the most imposing heavy destroyer on the planet, outside of the Two last representatives of the Kirov class of the Russian Navy, with an increasingly uncertain operational status.
In fact, the two destroyers should reach a displacement of 2 to 14.000 tonnes, or 14.500 more than Chinese Type 055, and almost 4000 tons more than the US Navy's Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyers.
These dimensions are explained, in large part, by the desire of the Marina Militare to install a new version of Leonardo's Kronos radar, which for the occasion will see the C band replaced by an S band, alongside the traditional X band, to improve its early detection capabilities and missile control options.
This new radar will be much more imposing, more energy-hungry and heavier than the Kronos DBR which already equips the PPA of the Thaon di Revel class, this contributing significantly to the increase in volume and displacement of the future Italian destroyer.
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Hello. Beautiful ship indeed to speak only of our country I would prefer more FDI and then we must build this famous PA so…..
The finances are also running dry
In my humble opinion, I think it is better to have 3 FDIs than a DDG, if only in the event of failure or worse (ship destroyed) you have 2 operational ones left, against 0. in these uncertain times that are looming on the horizon, let's not put all our eggs in one basket...