Fincantieri: Wass wins contract worth over 200 million for the Royal Saudi Naval Force

The goal is a particularly important one. Because the order worth over €200 million, won by Wass Submarine System, Fincantieri's 'arm' and leader in the design and development of advanced underwater defence systems, is the most important in the company's 150-year history. Which, as you will recall, the group led by Pierroberto Folgiero took over from Leonardo in 2024. Wass has, in fact, obtained an important order from the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the supply of MU90 light torpedoes, intended for the Avante 2200 class corvettes, in service with the Royal Saudi Naval Force (Rsnf) fleet.

The signing of the contract, which, clarifies the note released today by the group, "marks a new record in terms of acquisitions after the one recently signed with the Indian Navy, was announced at the World Defence Show 2026, underway in Riyadh, between the CEO of Wass, Andrea Adorni, and Ibrahim bin Ahmed al-Suwayed, Deputy Minister for Armaments and Procurement of the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also present at the ceremony were Khalid Bin Hussien AlBayari, Assistant to the Minister of Defence for Executive Affairs, and Fincantieri Folgiero's number one.

The programme will be managed by the Wass plant in Livorno, a centre of excellence in underwater systems, with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2030. The MU90 torpedo, reference of the third generation of light torpedoes (LWT), is already in service with the Italian Navy and over ten international navies. Designed and manufactured using state-of-the-art technology, it is designed to meet any operational requirement and can be deployed from a wide range of platforms (naval surface vessels, fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft).

In addition to torpedoes, the contract also includes a package of logistics support services for the Royal Saudi Naval Force. This is the first order signed by WASS directly with the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - a strategic market for Fincantieri - and paves the way for future commercial synergies. The agreement represents a milestone in the group's expansion in the Kingdom and further consolidates its strategic positioning in the country.

"This contract represents a particularly important milestone for Wass and the entire Fincantieri Group. It confirms the technological excellence and reliability of our underwater systems, as well as our ability to operate as a partner of reference in highly strategic and complex defence programmes," commented Fincantieri's CEO, Pierroberto Folgiero. "This result concretely reinforces our industrial presence in Saudi Arabia, a key market for the Group, and testifies to our long-term commitment to supporting the development of the Kingdom's future naval capabilities through advanced solutions, industrial cooperation and a structured local presence, with an integrated end-to-end approach.