European Patrol Corvette

The Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette (MMPC), previously named European Patrol Corvette (EPC), is a Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project that was adopted by the European Council on 12 November 2019. The objective is to design and develop a new class of surface combatants. The project originally involved Italy and France, the former being the coordinator. The two countries would soon be joined by Greece as well as Spain, and gradually, by several other European countries such as Denmark, Norway and Romania.[2][3][4][5]

Class overview
In commissionProjected from 2030
General characteristics
TypeCorvette
Displacement<3,000 t[1]
Length<110 m (360 ft 11 in)
Draft<5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)
PropulsionCODLAD, CODAD
Speed24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) or 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)
ArmamentVaried depending on nation and role[2]
Aircraft carriedNH90-sized helicopter and/or UAVs

In 2022, it was indicated that the project would receive a further €200 million from the EU's European Defence fund (EDF).[6]

Design and description

The ships will have a conventional hull of different dimensions, armament and propulsion systems.

The MMPC will have at least two versions:

  • Combat variant (reported Italian preference): 3D radar and combat management systems, medium/short-range surface-to-air missiles (SAM), anti-torpedo countermeasures, envisaged top speed: 25–26 knots (46–48 km/h; 29–30 mph);
  • Long-range patrol variant (reported French preference): 3D radar and combat management systems, medium/short-range SAM, envisaged top speed: 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)[7]

Other sources had earlier suggested that three variants were to be considered:

  • EPC optimised for anti-surface (ASuW) and anti-aircraft (AAW) warfare with the possibility of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and with self-defence capabilities
  • EPC optimized for anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and designed with oceanic reach (range of 10,000 nautical miles, 19,000 km, 12,000 mi at 14 knots, 26 km/h, 16 mph).
  • EPC optimized for blue-water (offshore) patrol missions[8]

Whatever the configuration and variants, as of 2022 the participating member states aim to potentially sign a contract as early as 2025 and expect the keel laying of the first ship to take place in 2026 and delivery to start in 2030.[1][9]

Participants

States:

Main companies:

Expected users

See also

References
  1. "EDA to support 'European Patrol Corvette' PESCO project". European Defence Agency. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  2. "The PeSCo's European Patrol Corvette (EPC) programme gains momentum". European Defence Review. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  3. "Corvette europee, i dettagli". portaledifesa.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  4. Kington, Tom (13 December 2021). "Denmark, Norway join European corvette program". Defense News. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  5. Papageorgiou, George (29 May 2023). "Romania in the Eurocorvette program". Naval News. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  6. "European Patrol Corvette to get fresh money from EU coffers". 9 September 2022.
  7. Kington, Tom (3 November 2021). "Amid high hopes, can the European Patrol Corvette deliver?". Defense News. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  8. "NAVIRIS and NAVANTIA sign MoU for the European Patrol Corvette Program". Naval News. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  9. Gain, Nathan (17 March 2022). "European Patrol Corvette Could Start Construction In Four Years". Naval News. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
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