ScanEagle Drones: Italy Enhances Naval ISR Capabilities
**Italy is set to enhance its naval intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities by procuring additional ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles.** The Italian Ministry of Defense has announced the authorization of a new contract process for the acquisition of these U.S.-manufactured MQ-27 ScanEagle drones. This initiative aims to bolster the operational effectiveness of the Italian Navy, specifically by integrating light, ship-based drone systems to meet the identified needs of 2022.
According to Army Recognition reports, the latest contract signifies an expansion of an ongoing procurement program aimed at integrating ScanEagle systems into its FREMM-class frigates. The initial phase of this program commenced with an agreement signed on September 18, 2013, between the Italian Navy and Insitu Inc., which provided the Italian fleet with two ScanEagle systems, amounting to four drones, along with essential ground control equipment.
Under the new agreement, the number of FREMM-class vessels fitted with the ScanEagle drones has revised from three down to two. Additionally, Italy plans to acquire more drones equipped with advanced electro-optic (EO) systems, while also ensuring that a comprehensive flight hour-based spare parts package and both basic and advanced training for operators are included.
Insitu Inc., the contractor for this latest agreement, is recognized for its role in developing and manufacturing ScanEagle systems, as well as securing aviation certification for the drones. Notably, the aircraft, launcher, and recovery systems can be transferred between ships, while crucial components such as ground control stations and antennas remain permanently integrated.
The overall financial commitment for this contract is approximately 19.5 million euros and is set to be paid in stages over three years, starting from 2025 to 2027. Specifically, 13.4 million euros is expected to be disbursed in 2025, followed by 4.9 million euros in 2026, and the final 961,000 euros in 2027.
Conducted under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework, this contract will follow a pre-announcement negotiation procedure. Due to the classification of the materials as military, it is exempt from certain publication and transparency obligations. In parallel, Italy is exploring the potential procurement of maritime patrol aircraft from Japan, signaling a broader strategy to enhance its maritime capabilities.
