According to a tweet published by the French Navy on January 12, 2023, the Italian Italian offshore patrol vessel Paolo Thaon di Revel conducted operational training with a French FREMM frigate, possibly Provence, part of the French Carrier Strike Group Charles de Gaulle.
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French Navy's FREMM frigate and Italian OPV Paolo Thaon di Revel in the Indian Ocean. (Picture source: French Navy)
The Carrier Strike Group Charles de Gaulle departed France on November 15 as part of Mission Antares, which involves 3,000 service members from France and allied partners.
About the Thaon di Revel OPV
The Thaon di Revel class (also known as PPA for 'Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura - Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel') is a class of multipurpose offshore ships built by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy.
It is planned to replace four Soldati-class light patrol frigates and eight Minerva-class corvettes between 2021/2035. As part of the 2014 Naval Law, a total of sixteen ships are planned and as of 2019 seven vessels have been financed with three more on option.
The Offshore Patrol Vessels have a length of 143 m (469 ft 2 in), a beam of 16.5 m (54 ft 2 in), and a draught of 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in). They can reach a top speed of 31.6 knots (58.5 km/h; 36.4 mph).
The vessels are also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to 11 meters long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.
They are armed with one Oto Melara 127 mm/64 Vulcano with Automated Ammunition Handling System (AAHS), one Oto Melara 76 mm/62 Strales Sovraponte anti-aircraft gun and two Oto Melara Oerlikon KBA B06 remote mounting.
