Portugal to Buy Three FREMM EVO Frigates from Italy’s Fincantieri in €3B Deal
Portugal has turned to Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri to renew its navy. Under a deal announced in Rome, the country will acquire three FREMM EVO frigates for around €3 billion.
At a Glance
- What: Portugal to acquire three FREMM EVO frigates from Fincantieri
- Value: around €3 billion
- Delivery: 2029-2030
- Replacing: the 30-year-old Vasco da Gama class
- Where: Rome, Palazzo Chigi — announced by Meloni and Montenegro
Portugal has struck a deal with Fincantieri, one of Europe’s largest shipbuilding groups, to renew its ageing naval inventory. Announced at Palazzo Chigi in Rome by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, the agreement will see the Portuguese Navy acquire three FREMM EVO multipurpose frigates for around €3 billion.
Delivery of the three ships to the Portuguese Navy is scheduled for 2029 to 2030. The new frigates will gradually replace the Vasco da Gama-class vessels, which have served for more than 30 years and are nearing the end of their operational lives.
Same Baseline as the Italian Navy
The Portuguese frigates will be in the same baseline configuration as the Italian Navy’s FREMM EVO, except for communications systems. The deal covers not just the ships but comprehensive packages for sustainment, technology transfer and requirements ensuring the vessels’ operational efficiency across a service life of at least 30 years.
Meloni called the deal a ‘recognition of the excellence of Italian industry’ and evidence that Europe can ‘strengthen its autonomy by investing in the industrial and technological capabilities of the continent’s own companies.’ The agreement lands as NATO members raise defence spending and increasingly favour intra-European procurement solutions.
The Deal — Key Facts
| Class | FREMM EVO multipurpose frigate |
| Number | 3 |
| Value | ~€3 billion |
| Builder | Fincantieri (Italy) |
| Buyer | Portuguese Navy |
| Delivery | 2029-2030 |
| Class replaced | Vasco da Gama (MEKO 200 derivative) |
| Service life | at least 30 years |
Competition Heats Up in Europe’s Frigate Market
Portugal’s choice is the latest sign of intensifying competition in Europe’s frigate market. The FREMM (France-Italy), Germany’s MEKO A-200/F126, Britain’s Type 26 and South Korea’s aggressively priced offers all compete for the same tenders. Türkiye enters this picture with the ISTIF class (alongside the TF-2000 air-defence derivatives) and MILGEM export success; the entry into service of TCG Istanbul and corvette/frigate exports to Pakistan and Ukraine show a domestic design becoming an increasingly visible player on the international market.
Sources
- Naval News — Portugal to Acquire 3 FREMM EVO Frigates from Italy (20 July 2026)
- Breaking Defense — Portugal to purchase three frigates from Italy’s Fincantieri: Meloni
- Il Sole 24 Ore — Fincantieri, Portugal three frigates €3 billion
