Fincantieri’s MPCS EVO, also known as the PPA EVO or PPA 2.0, represents a major combat-oriented evolution of Italy’s Paolo Thaon di Revel-class Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship. The design combines a modular hull with a dramatically expanded missile battery, advanced air-defence capabilities, counter-drone systems and the ability to operate unmanned platforms.
Fincantieri unveiled the PPA EVO concept at Euronaval 2024 in Paris, presenting it as an evolution of the existing PPA rather than an entirely new ship design. The company says the platform has been developed to address increasingly demanding threats ranging from unmanned systems to ballistic, supersonic and hypersonic weapons.
A Compact Hull With Heavy Firepower
The PPA EVO is particularly notable because of the amount of weaponry proposed for a relatively compact combatant.
According to Fincantieri’s published specifications, the EVO configuration is approximately:
- Length: 143 m
- Beam: 16.5 m
- Draft: 5.2 m
- Full-load displacement: 6,000+ tonnes
- Maximum speed: 32 knots
- Range: more than 5,000 nautical miles at cruise speed
The propulsion architecture remains based on the PPA family’s CODAGOL concept, combining a 32 MW LM2500+G4 gas turbine, two 10 MW MTU 20V 8000 diesel engines and two 1.35 MW electric motors. Fincantieri lists approximately 32 knots in combined diesel-and-gas-turbine operation, 25 knots on diesel power and 10 knots in electric mode.
The 64-Cell VLS Battery
The defining feature of the MPCS EVO is its greatly expanded vertical launch system.
The design can accommodate up to eight eight-cell SYLVER VLS modules, providing a total of 64 vertical launch cells.
Four modules are positioned forward and another four are installed amidships. The system can incorporate SYLVER A50 and A70/A70 New Generation launchers, depending on the customer’s configuration.
This gives the ship considerably greater missile capacity than the existing PPA Full configuration.
The A50 family can accommodate missiles such as the Aster 15 and Aster 30, while the A70 architecture opens the possibility of carrying larger long-range strike weapons. Fincantieri specifically describes the EVO as capable of accepting A70 launchers for deep-strike cruise-missile missions.
Importantly, the 64-cell figure describes launcher capacity, not necessarily a fixed 64-missile loadout. The final missile mix would depend on the customer’s configuration and mission requirements.
Anti-Ship Weapons
The MPCS EVO can also carry up to eight MBDA Teseo Mk 2/E anti-ship cruise missiles in inclined launchers.
The Teseo Mk 2/E provides the ship with a dedicated long-range anti-surface warfare capability, complementing the VLS-based air-defence and potential deep-strike weapons.
Gun Armament
Unlike the current Full PPA configuration, the EVO concept shifts toward a different gun arrangement.
The forward weapon is a Leonardo 76/62 Super Rapido, while another 76/62 gun can be positioned above the helicopter hangar.
The ship can additionally carry two remotely operated 30 mm or 40 mm weapon stations, intended particularly for close-in defence and counter-UAS missions. Airburst ammunition can be used against small aerial targets.
The 76 mm system can also employ guided DART ammunition for engaging incoming aerial threats, while Vulcano guided ammunition provides a longer-range naval gunfire option where supported by the configuration.
Designed for the Drone Era
Countering unmanned systems is one of the most important aspects of the MPCS EVO concept.
The ship is designed to operate and manage:
- UAVs — Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- USVs — Unmanned Surface Vehicles
- UUVs/AUVs — Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
Fincantieri has also incorporated provisions for a directed-energy weapon, with the concept imagery showing a laser-type system positioned forward of the naval cockpit. The company has not publicly disclosed a definitive power level or engagement range for the proposed weapon.
The ship can also employ the Omega360 counter-UAS radar, while its wider sensor and electronic-warfare architecture is intended to detect and counter drone threats.
Advanced Sensors and Combat Management
The PPA EVO is designed around a significantly upgraded combat-management architecture.
The ship can incorporate:
- Leonardo Dual Band Radar
- C-band and X-band AESA radar functions
- Leonardo DSS-IRST electro-optical/infrared surveillance and tracking
- Omega360 counter-UAS radar
- Integrated electronic warfare systems
- Advanced command-and-control systems
- AI-assisted combat-management functions
- Directed-energy weapons
Fincantieri and its partners are also developing greater integration between the ship’s combat-management system and unmanned platforms. The goal is to allow a single combat architecture to coordinate conventional weapons, sensors and unmanned assets.
Anti-Submarine Warfare
Although the PPA platform was not originally designed primarily as an anti-submarine warfare ship, the EVO configuration significantly expands its ASW potential.
The proposed configuration includes a variable-depth sonar, lightweight torpedo launchers and anti-torpedo protection systems. The ship can also operate unmanned underwater vehicles from its mission areas.
Fincantieri has highlighted the ability to accommodate additional mission equipment, including 20-foot containers carrying underwater systems.
Modular Mission Architecture
One of the strongest characteristics of the PPA family is its modularity.
The EVO retains this philosophy while modifying parts of the hull and superstructure to make room for additional weapons and sensors.
The ship can use configurable mission spaces for:
- Unmanned systems
- Special-forces boats
- RHIBs
- Underwater surveillance systems
- Medical modules
- Additional accommodation
- Containerized mission equipment
This allows the same basic platform to be configured for different missions without designing a completely different warship for every role.
Aviation Capability
The PPA family has a large aviation facility capable of operating two NH90 helicopters or a combination of an NH90 and an AW101, depending on configuration and mission requirements.
The EVO design also emphasizes the integration of unmanned aviation systems alongside conventional helicopters.
Why the MPCS EVO Matters
The MPCS EVO is effectively an attempt to turn a highly flexible offshore patrol/combat platform into a much more heavily armed multi-domain surface combatant.
With a displacement above 6,000 tonnes, 32-knot performance, up to 64 VLS cells, eight anti-ship missiles, modern AESA radar, electronic warfare, ASW systems, counter-UAS capabilities and support for UAVs, USVs and UUVs, the concept occupies a space between a traditional patrol vessel and a heavily armed modern frigate.
Its most striking characteristic is the weapons density: Fincantieri is proposing frigate-level missile capacity on a platform derived from the PPA architecture while retaining the family’s modular mission philosophy.
The Italian Navy has been identified as the expected launch customer for two replacement PPA platforms following the transfer of two PPA Light Plus ships to Indonesia. These replacement ships are expected to adopt the EVO configuration, subject to the programme and funding process.
Bottom line: The MPCS EVO should not be described simply as “another new frigate design.” It is more accurately described as Fincantieri’s heavily armed evolution of the PPA/MPCS platform, combining a 6,000+ tonne hull with a proposed 64-cell VLS battery and a comprehensive unmanned, air-defence, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare package.
