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gram to eventually replace the eight units of the Minerva and the four units of the

Cassiopea class from 2020.

Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD)

Three LHD type units were projected in January 2008 to enter service in 2018, 2022 and 2028 respectively, to replace the three San Giorgio/San Giusto class

LPD. Construction is unlikely to com- mence prior to 2013. There is a size indi- cation of 20,000 ton displacement. The 2011 budget submission indicated that the program will be started under a spe- cial economic support package. A con- tract for a risk reduction study was awarded to Fincantieri in Nov. 2010.

Landing Platform Dock (LPD)

The acquisition of a fourth Landing

Platform Dock (LPD) was postponed in 2006 for budgetary reasons and appears to have been cancelled in 2008.

Mine countermeasures vessels

The 2002 Defense White paper calls for the acquisition of nine new generation mine countermeasures vessels to enter service beyond 2015. The cost was esti- mated at EUR1.36 billion. No progress has been reported on this program and it appears that alternatives are being inves- tigated, possibly associated with the OPV project.

Logistic support ship (LSS)

The 2002 Defense White Paper in- cluded the requirement to replace the re- plenishment ships Stromboli and Vesuvio with two new logistic support ships. The 2011 budget submission indicated that the program will be started under a spe- cial economic support package. A con- tract for a risk reduction study was awarded to Fincantieri on 2 November 2010.

Mine countermeasures support ship

The 2002 Defense White paper calls for the acquisition of a new Mine Counter- measures Command & Support

Ship/Long Range Submarine Support (MCCS/LRSS), to enter service by 2009.

The unit would replace the Alpino. The cost was estimated at EUR0.17 million.

The program was postponed in 2006 for budgetary reasons and no longer shows in appears to have been dropped from budget submissions since 2008.

Auxiliary Rescue Ship/Nucleo

Appoggio Incursori (ARS/NAI) project

Following the requirement specified in the 2002 White Paper for a new subma- rine rescue vessel, the 2010 budget sub- mission includes a project for the acquisition of an auxiliary rescue ship (ARS) to replace the Anteo (A 5309) which was delivered in 1980. The vessel is to be based on a commercial design.

The estimated cost is EUR120 million.

Available information indicates that con- struction is to start in 2011 with funding spread over the 2010-2015 period. Deliv- ery of the vessel is expected by 2017.

Hydrographic survey vessel project

The 2010 budget submission indicated that a project will be initiated for a new hydrographic survey ship to replace the

Ammiraglio Magnaghi (A 5303).

The 2011 budget submission indicated that the program will be started under a special economic support package. Con- tract for risk reduction studies were awarded on 2 November 2010 to RINA

Spa, to the Universities of Genua, Trieste, and Napels, and to the Centro per gli

Studi di Tecnica Navale.

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