Piloda Defence, HAVELSAN and VN Maritime join forces on next-generation naval platforms
Naples – Piloda Defence, HAVELSAN and VN Maritime Technologies have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to develop, integrate and produce manned, unmanned and hybrid surface vessels for the Italian and European defence and security markets. The partnership builds on the existing cooperation between Piloda Shipyard and VN Maritime for the production of 40 vessels for the Italian Coast Guard, extending it to advanced platforms for the Italian Navy, Guardia di Finanza and other government agencies.
At the heart of the programme is a new generation of hybrid naval platforms capable of operating with a crew, autonomously or in mixed mode without structural modifications. This flexibility supports a wide range of missions, including surveillance, patrol, Search and Rescue, boarding operations and coordinated unmanned missions, while allowing immediate deployment within current regulatory frameworks.
The partnership combines Piloda Defence’s production and system-integration capabilities in Italy, HAVELSAN’s expertise in autonomous systems, command and control and sensor integration, and VN Maritime’s advanced naval design and ÖK Hull technology. Production will involve facilities in Naples, Brindisi and Torre Annunziata, with the goal of strengthening Italy’s capabilities in next-generation maritime defence and developing platforms designed for both current and future operational requirements.
Donato Di Palo, CEO of Piloda Shipyard and Co-Founder of Piloda Group: “We are investing in an industrial model that brings advanced expertise and technology to Italy. Together with HAVELSAN and VN Maritime, we are accelerating the development of increasingly sophisticated naval platforms while building on the shipbuilding expertise and manufacturing quality that have defined our Group for more than a century.”
Piloda Group
Daniela Spinelli
Marketing & Communication
d.spinelli@pilodagroup.com
