LIMA is a prestigious event that showcases maritime and aerospace capabilities, and Italy's participation highlights its commitment to regional security and cooperation. By showcasing the advanced capabilities of the OPV Morosini, Italy demonstrates its readiness to contribute to maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel Francesco Morosini. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)
The OPV Francesco Morosini belongs to the Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel, which has a displacement of 4,880 tonnes in light displacement and 5,830 tonnes in full displacement.
She has a length of 143 meters (469 ft 2 in) LOA and 133 meters (436 ft 4 in) LPP. The vessel has a beam of 16.5 meters (54 ft 2 in), a draught of 10.5 meters (34 ft 5 in), and a depth of 5 meters (16 ft 5 in).
Her propulsion system utilizes a CODAG CC scheme, consisting of 1 × TAG General Electric/Avio LM2500+G4 gas turbine with 32,000 kW (43,000 hp), 2 × diesel engines MTU 20V 8000 M91L with 10,000 kW (13,000 hp) each, 4 × diesel engine generators M.A.N. GenSets 12V175D-MEM with 1,640 kW (2,200 hp) each, 2 × reversible electric engines with 1,350 kW (1,810 hp) each, 2 x diesel engine emergency generators, 1 × thruster with 550 kW (740 hp), and 2 × shafts driving controllable pitch propellers.
The vessel can achieve a maximum speed of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) using the gas turbine, 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) using the two main diesel engines, 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) using one main diesel engine, and 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) using the electric-diesel engine. It has a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).
The OPV Francesco Morosini has a complement of 173 beds (plus 30 in the modular rear zone) and a crew capacity of 120 for the PPA Full configuration, 90 for PPA Light+, and 90 for PPA Light.
Additionally, she can accommodate 24 crew members for two helicopters on board and provides 89/59 beds for optional boarding teams, marines teams, maritime command staff, etc.
For sensors and processing systems, she features a Leonardo-Finmeccanica naval cockpit, Leonardo-Finmeccanica SADOC Mk4 CMS (Command Management System) with 28 MFC (20 on PPA Light version), Leonardo-Finmeccanica SAAM-ESD AAW system, 1 x Leonardo-Finmeccanica LPI air and ground surveillance radar (SPS-732), 2 x Leonardo-Finmeccanica navigation radar (X/Ka dual band radar), 1 x Leonardo-Finmeccanica static IRST (InfraRed Search and Track), 1 x Leonardo-Finmeccanica next-generation IFF sensors with circular antenna, 1 x Leonardo-Finmeccanica Diver Detection Sonar, 1 x Leonardo-Finmeccanica Fire Control System ADT NG NA30S Mk2, 1 x dual-band SATCOM antenna, 1 x tri-band SATCOM antenna, and 1 x SAT-TV antenna. She is equipped with a Leonardo-Finmeccanica AESA 3D Dual Band Radar, specifically an X-band radar.
In terms of electronic warfare and decoys, the OPV is equipped with the Elettronica-ELT Spa ZEUS System, RESM (Radar Electronic Support Counter-Measure), RECM (Radar Electronic Counter-Measure), CESM (Communication ESM), 2 x Long Range Acoustic Device SITEP MS-424, and 2 x Oto Melara ODLS-20 decoy launchers.
As for armament, she includes 1 x Oto Melara 127/64 mm Vulcano with an Automated Ammunition Handling System (AAHS), 1 x Oto Melara 76/62 mm Strales Sovraponte Anti-aircraft gun, 2 x Oto Melara Oerlikon KBA B06 remote mountings, 2 x 8-cell DCNS SYLVER A70 VLS for 32 CAMM-ER or up to 16 Scalp Naval missiles, 8 x Teseo\Otomat Mk-2/E anti-ship and land attack missiles, and 2 x triple WASS B-515/3 launchers for Black Arrow 324 mm torpedoes.
The OPV Francesco Morosini has aviation facilities that include a double hangar and a flight deck measuring 25.5 meters (83 ft 8 in) x 16.5 meters (54 ft 2 in). It can carry 2 × SH90 helicopters and 1 × AW101 helicopter.
