The Thaon di Revel class (also known as PPA for 'Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura - Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel') is a class of frigate built by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy.
It is planned to replace four Soldati-class light patrol frigates and eight s between 2021 and 2035. As part of the 2014 Naval Law, a total of sixteen ships were planned, and as of 2019, seven vessels have been financed with three more on deck but not yet funded. European Patrol Corvette, a class of lighter ships built into an EU cooperation should complete the Italian Navy needs.
In March 2024, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Fincantieri for the acquisition of two of the ships under construction for the Italian Navy. In June 2025, the Italian Navy ordered two ships to replace the ships sold to Indonesia; these ships are to be in the light+ configuration.
Variants
The class, designed with a high level of modularity and automation, will be delivered in a full, a light+ and a light configuration, each of which having different sensors and equipment. It can perform multiple functions, ranging from patrol with sea rescue capacity, to civil protection operations and, in its most highly equipped version, first-line fighting.
The Light configuration has only gun armaments and X band radar 4FF. The Light+ (C band radar 4FF) and Full (complete DBR radar) options also mount two eight-cell Sylver vertical launching system for Aster anti-aircraft missiles, including the 30 NT, which is capable of intercepting MRBMs. The Full version includes eight TESEO "EVO" MK2/E anti-ship missile launchers, two triple torpedo launchers for anti-submarine warfare, an Active Towed Array Sonar and a full suite of EW: RESM, CESM, RECM. Ships with the Light and Light+ configurations have the fitted for but not with provision for missiles and torpedoes, and could be upgraded to the Full configuration at a later date.
According to RID, the Italian Navy ordered the new MBDA TESEO MK/2E heavy-duty missile (TESEO "EVO"), a long-range anti-ship missile with also land attack capability. Compared to the predecessor OTOMAT/TESEO, the TESEO "EVO" MK/2E has double the range, or more than 360 km.
During the launching ceremony of Marcantonio Colonna on 26 November 2022, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy Admiral Enrico Credendino announced that the two 'Light' configuration ships – Paolo Thaon di Revel and Francesco Morosini – would be refitted into the 'Full' configuration. On 23 April 2026, the Italian Navy awarded Fincantieri a contract to bring all ships of the class to 'Full' configuration.
Ships Italics indicate estimated dates Sub-class Name No. Hull no. Contract Steel cut Laid down Launched Comm. Notes - Thaon di Revel class PPA Light P430 6261 Amendment No. 10, to be retrofitted to PPA FULL standard (). P431 6262 PPA Light+ P432 6263 Amendment No. 10, to be retrofitted to PPA FULL standard (). PPA Full P434 6264 – Domenico Millelire P436 6267 – Marcantonio Colonna P433 6396 Amendment No. 9 Contract for a PPA Light+ standard.Amendment No. 10, built to PPA FULL standard (). Ruggiero di Lauria P435 6397 – – – - Brawijaya class PPA Light+ 320 6265 Indonesia(Italy) – Renamed from Marcantonio Colonna (P433) and Ruggiero di Lauria (P435) in January 2025, when sold to Indonesia. 321 6266 Exports Indonesia In October 2023, Italy planned to export two ships to Indonesia. The ships to be sold would be among those already being built for the Italian navy in order to accelerate delivery. Transfer of technology and know-how would also included in the deal.
In March 2024, Fincantieri and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence signed a 1.18 billion euro contract for the supply of two PPA Units.
According to Janes, Indonesia borrowed US$1.25 billion in funding from three European banks, BNP Paribas (France), Credit Agricole (France) and SACE (Italy), to finance the purchase.
The Indonesian government named the two vessels as KRI Brawijaya (320) and KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321). The vessels were officially renamed on 29 January 2025. Brawijaya arrived in Jakarta on 8 September 2025, with Prabu Siliwangi following on 26 March 2026. Both ships are based in Surabaya.
The Indonesian Navy is interested in upgrading both ships to the "Full" configuration from its present "Light+" configuration. Fincantieri stated that such an upgrade could be done in Indonesia through collaboration with local shipyards. In March 2026, the Indonesian Navy was considering whether to equip the ships with missiles from Italy, France, or Turkey. The additional onboard sensors that would be fitted to the ships are also under assessment.
Potential exports
Italy's latest proposal for the Hellenic Navy contains four s, a type designed for the Qatari Emiri Navy, and two Thaon di Revel-class multipurpose offshore ships.
References
External links
Pattugliatore Polivalente di Altura Marina Militare website