Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono on Navy FFG(X) Frigate Contract

Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono told Defense News in an interview published Monday that offering an operational ship with anti-submarine capability is one of the reasons why the company’s Wisconsin-based subsidiary won the U.S. Navy’s FFG(X) frigate design and construction contract.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine will design and build up to 10 FFG(X) guided-missile frigates for the Navy under a potential 15-year, $5.6B contract.

“On paper, the other offerings might have been great, but we are operational,” Bono said. “Our proposal was also more complete because the design is extremely flexible thanks to the possibility of fitting different defense systems.”

Bono said the contract seeks to reflect the company’s seriousness and efforts to deliver within schedule and on budget. “All these aspects are strongly taken into account by the customer and they give you an advantage. This is fundamental and one of our characteristics, derived in part from our work on cruise ships, which are built on a turnkey basis,” he added.

He also mentioned Fincantieri’s partnership with Gibbs and Cox on the frigate program and being open to the possibility of expanding its infrastructure to accommodate work on FFG(X) and Littoral Combat Ship programs.