Naval Race Heats Up as Italy Orders New DDX Destroyers
Today’s top story, Italy’s €3.7B contract for two new DDX destroyers, is a continuation of Europe’s naval arms race. This is the third such deal in the last 30 days, following Germany’s Type 125 frigate order and the UK’s Type 31 frigate programme. The contract, awarded to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a joint venture between Fincantieri and Leonardo, marks a significant investment in air and missile defence capabilities for the Italian Navy. The €3.7B deal is the biggest of the month, echoing the €3.9B contract awarded to the same joint venture in August. Deliveries are planned for 2033 and 2035, a delay from the original 2028 timeline, reflecting the complex nature of such programmes.
Cyber and AI: The Technologies to Watch
In the last 30 days, ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘AI’ have been mentioned 48 times, with a surge in stories this week, highlighting their strategic importance. Cybersecurity, with 10 mentions, is another technology to watch. This trend is reflected in today’s stories, with France sending military assistance to Saudi Arabia, including radar systems and defence systems, and the Navy seeking industry tools for offensive cyber operations. The Pentagon’s generative AI platform GenAI.mil also saw high usage, with over 2 million users in one week. This technological focus is reshaping defence strategies, with more emphasis on expeditionary cyber capabilities at the tactical edge.
What Else Moved:
China appears to be building a mothership for large uncrewed submarines, supporting an assessment of the vessel as a mothership for Chinese submersible drones. Belgium procures TRIDENT mine warfare systems for Ukraine via Exail, showing international support for Ukrainian defence forces. Japan launches its first high-speed landing craft, designed for rapid deployment of troops and vehicles. The K-DEX 2026 defence exhibition connects strategic dialogue with procurement and defence industry cooperation, focusing on Southeast Asia’s defence industry trends.
FORWARD LOOK: Watch for more European naval procurements, as Italy’s DDX deal spurs competition. Additionally, follow the evolution of AI and cyber technologies in defence, as strategic investments continue to shape defence strategies.