The Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette (MMPC), previously named European Patrol Corvette (EPC), is a Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project that was adopted by the European Council on 12 November 2019. The objective is to design and develop a new class of surface combatants. The project originally involved Italy and France, the former being the coordinator. The two countries would soon be joined by Greece as well as Spain, and gradually, by several other European countries such as Denmark, Norway and Romania.[2][3][4][5]
In 2022, it was indicated that the project would receive a further €200 million from the EU's European Defence fund (EDF).[6]
Design and description
The ships will have a conventional hull of different dimensions, armament and propulsion systems.
The MMPC will have at least two versions:
Combat variant (reported Italian preference): 3D radar and combat management systems, short to medium range surface-to-air missiles (SAM), anti-torpedo countermeasures, envisaged top speed: 25–26 knots (46–48 km/h; 29–30 mph);
Long-range patrol variant (reported French preference): 3D radar and combat management systems, short to medium range SAMs, envisaged top speed: 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)[7]
Other sources had earlier suggested that three variants were to be considered:
EPC optimized for anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and designed with oceanic reach (range of 10,000 nautical miles, 19,000 km, 12,000 mi at 14 knots, 26 km/h, 16 mph).
EPC optimized for blue-water (offshore) patrol missions[8]
Whatever the configuration and variants, as of 2022 the participating member states aim to potentially sign a contract as early as 2025 and expect the keel laying of the first ship to take place in 2026 and delivery to start in 2030.[1][9]
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