Fincantieri wins $30m US Navy contract for LSM programme

Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), a US subsidiary of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, has secured a contract worth $30m from the US Navy to support the initial phase of the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) programme.  

The contract, Fincantieri’s first with the US Navy, covers the “immediate procurement” of long lead-time materials and engineering services for the first four LSM vessels.

Construction on the project is anticipated to begin as early as the last quarter of 2026, the company stated. 

The US Navy’s decision follows its February 18 announcement regarding the Request for Proposal for the LSM programme, which envisages the procurement of up to 35 ships.  

Under the first production phase, FMG will be responsible for building at least four of these vessels.  

The deal marks the initial step in a broader Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model that may lead to further contracts, subject to approvals and contractual agreements. 

The LSM programme plays a key role in enhancing the operational capacity of the US Navy and the US Marine Corps. Its objectives include supporting distributed operations, expanding littoral mobility and boosting the rapid movement and sustainment of forces in contested areas. 

Fincantieri chief executive officer and managing director Pierroberto Folgiero said: “The award of this contract represents an important step in the evolution of our long-standing partnership with the US Navy. It reflects the confidence placed in the industrial capabilities built in the United States and in our ability to support complex naval programs with discipline, speed, and technical excellence.”

Fincantieri has committed more than $800m in its US shipyards over the past decade, seeking to optimise its production capacity and support various naval contracts.  

Currently, the company employs about 3,000 workers in the US.