The four Horizon-class anti-air warfare frigates in service with the navies of France and Italy. (Thales)

Naviris and Eurosam have been awarded a EUR1.5 billion (USD1.7 billion) contract from the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) for the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of four Franco-Italian Horizon-class anti-air warfare (AAW) frigates.

The contract follows a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by representatives from Italy and France at the Paris Air Show on 20 June.

Built under a joint programme between Fincantieri and Naval Group between 2000 and 2010, the Horizon class comprises two Forbin-class frigates operated by the French Navy and two Andrea Doria-class destroyers operated by the Italian Navy.

The MLU covers the overall modernisation of the frigates to maintain and extend their capabilities and performance to the end of their service lives. Work will focus on ships’ Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS), encompassing updates to radars, munitions, and associated command-and-control (C2) functionality.

Under the MLU