On April 1, 2025, the Italian Ministry of Defense authorized a new contractual action to acquire an additional U.S.-made MQ-27 ScanEagle unmanned aerial system (UAS) for integration aboard two FREMM-class naval units. This acquisition falls under the operational requirement defined by the Italian Navy in 2022 to enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the deployment of light and tactical-class shipborne UAS. It also represents a continuation of the initial ScanEagle integration program, which began with a U.S. Purchase Order (No. 2565 and amendments) that is still in execution.
The mandate issued by the Italian Navy to the Directorate for Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA) aims to complete and expand the initial acquisition by providing additional systems and associated materials. This includes progressing with the installation and integration of the MQ-27 ScanEagle UAS aboard FREMM-class vessels while ensuring operational continuity. The initial procurement took place on September 18, 2013, when Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, announced a contract with the Italian Navy for the delivery of two complete ScanEagle systems and related training services. Each system includes four UAVs, a ground control station, a remote video terminal, and launch and recovery equipment. The ScanEagle was one of several unmanned systems introduced into the Italian Navy’s inventory following initiatives such as Operazione Mare Nostrum, during which it operated alongside other UAVs like the Camcopter S-100.
The revised program reduces the number of ships to be equipped from three to two and modifies the sensor configuration. Specifically, it increases the number of aircraft with Electro-Optical (EO) sensors and removes the previously planned integration of the ViDAR sensor. The spare parts package will be aligned with expected flight hours, and additional training modules will be included, covering both basic operator instruction and instructor-level qualification. Italy became the sixth ScanEagle customer in Europe, and this drone is already used in ISR roles, benefiting from a cruise speed of 140 km/h and a 20-hour endurance. The UAV does not require a runway, as it uses a pneumatic catapult launcher compatible with naval vessels.
The total estimated cost of the acquisition is €19,500,000. Of this amount, €19,305,426.59 is allocated to the Purchase Order, which corresponds to $20,077,643.65 using a conservative exchange rate of 1.04. An additional €194,573.41 is allocated for technical function incentives under Article 45 of Legislative Decree 36/2023. These incentives include €155,658.73 for personnel (as defined in paragraph 3) and €38,914.68 for activities described in paragraph 5. The residual 20% of the contract amount not used for the core acquisition may be reallocated to unplanned requirements, such as repairs and spare parts, within the same contractual framework. The contract will be executed through a negotiated procedure without prior publication, identified as a Purchase Order type under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework. It qualifies for exemption from several standard procurement publication requirements, as the materials are classified as military equ