FRENCH NAVY
Naval Group has used the Euronaval 2024 naval defence exhibition to showcase its latest iteration of the next-generation aircraft carrier. The most notable development is the choice of three electromagnetic catapults, as earlier designs had only two. The revision will enable the future carrier to launch and recover multiple aircraft types at a higher tempo. At present only three nations, China, France and the USA, operate catapultequipped aircraft carriers.
ITALIAN NAVY
The Marina Militare is set to order a pair of upgraded PPA multi-mission OPVs as replacements for the two Light+ configured vessels transferred from its production line to Indonesia. The so-called EVO ships are to get greater firepower by doubling the number of Sylver 50 launch modules for Aster 30 missiles, and adding longer Sylver 70 launch modules, which can also fire MdCN naval land-attack cruise missiles.
ROC NAVY
Construction of the first of 12 planned anti-air warfare (AAW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) light frigates got under way with a keel-laying ceremony at the Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Group shipyard in Kaohsiung on 4 November 2024. The 3,000-tonne warships will replace Taiwan’s ex-US Navy Chi Yang (Knox) class ships, which date back to the 1970s. They are to be equipped with indigenous Sea Sword II air defence and Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles.