Fincantieri Marinette Marine on Thursday was awarded the nearly $800 million contract to build the first-in-class guided missile frigate for the U.S. Navy, with an option for nine additional ships.
The award was announced by the Department of Defense this afternoon following competition among several other major U.S. shipyards. The contract offers FMM the option to build and deliver up to 10 ships, as well as post-delivery availability support, engineering and class services, crew familiarization, training equipment and provisioned item orders. According to the contract announcement, if all options are exercised, the cumulative value of this contract will be $5.5B.
“When we began this journey nearly two years ago it was with the belief that there was a place for new ideas, new platforms and new partners in an already talented U.S. shipbuilding industry,” said Fincantieri Marine Group CEO Dario Deste. “Today’s announcement validates that thinking.”
The Navy plans to build 20 ships as part of the future frigate program. Fincantieri will build an adapted variant of the Italian FREMM (European multi-purpose frigate) in Wisconsin at its Marinette shipyard.
“Congratulations to the Navy on this important decision,” added Deste. “The men and women of Fincantieri Marinette Marine and our partner suppliers throughout the United States are ready to get to work.”
Michigan Senator Stabenow celebrated the announcement that Marinette Marine shipyard, which employs a number of Michiganders in the Upper Peninsula, will build new ships for the U.S. Navy.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Michigan workers and great news for our economy here in the Great Lakes region. This contract will create new jobs and help to ensure Michigan’s manufacturing workforce remains strong long into the future. Both workers in the Upper Peninsula and suppliers throughout the state will benefit from this important announcement.”
While physically located in Marinette, Wisconsin, thousands of U.P. workers are employed at Marinette Marine.
If all options are exercised, the cumulative value of this contract would be $5,576,105,441. Rep. Jack Bergman, Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Retired USMC Lt. General issued the following statement:
“With this contract award, Fincantieri Marinette Marine will continue its longstanding tradition of supporting the U.S. Navy, building high- quality ships, and creating jobs in the region. This contract will have lasting impacts on Michigan’s First District and the U.S. Navy as it prepares for the future fight.
“As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’m proud to have worked alongside Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08) to support the shipyard in its efforts to secure this contract. I look forward to our continued efforts, as the hardworking men and women at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard begin their work.”
The FFG (X) class is designed to be a multi-mission small surface combatant able to meet the demands of the National Defense Strategy, and will feature a new radar system, 32 vertical launch cells, and an Aegis combat system. In addition to ensuring work at the shipyard for the duration of the contract, the project is projected to create thousands of jobs to benefit our local workforce.
To learn more about the Navy’s FFG (X) Program, click HERE.
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