Fincantieri Explores Nuclear Propulsion as CEO Shares Naval Drone Lessons from Ukraine War
Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri's CEO Pierroberto Folgiero has revealed the company is actively evaluating nuclear-powered vessels. Speaking at a closed-door roundtable, Folgiero also discussed combat lessons learned from the use of naval drones—including USVs and UUVs—in the Ukraine conflict, as well as the future of the European Patrol Corvette programme.
Highlights
- Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero confirmed the company is actively evaluating nuclear propulsion technology for future vessels.
- Folgiero cited USV and UUV combat deployments in the Russia-Ukraine war as a key source of real-world naval drone operational lessons.
- Fincantieri is a principal participant in the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) programme, a multinational European naval collaboration.
- Nuclear propulsion offers extended range and endurance advantages suited to long-term deep-sea military and commercial deployments.
- Fincantieri's dual focus on naval drones and nuclear propulsion reflects broader energy transition and military modernisation trends in global shipbuilding.
Italian shipbuilding major Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero has disclosed that the company is actively exploring the potential of nuclear-powered vessels, marking a significant step in propulsion technology strategy for one of Europe's most influential shipbuilders.
Naval Drone Lessons from the Ukraine War
Speaking at a closed-door roundtable, Folgiero shared insights on several key issues, with particular emphasis on real-world combat experience gained from the use of naval drones in the Russia-Ukraine war. The widespread deployment of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) in the Ukrainian conflict has fundamentally reshaped the face of modern naval warfare, providing navies and shipbuilders worldwide with valuable tactical and technical reference points.
The European Patrol Corvette Programme
Folgiero also weighed in on the future direction of the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) programme. Designed to consolidate the naval requirements of multiple European nations into a new-generation corvette with a high degree of commonality, the EPC is a multilateral initiative in which Fincantieri plays a key role.
Nuclear Propulsion: The Next Strategic Move
Fincantieri's exploration of nuclear propulsion reflects the latest trends in the global shipbuilding industry, driven by both the energy transition and evolving military requirements. Nuclear propulsion systems offer significant advantages in range and endurance, making them particularly attractive for military or commercial vessels required to operate on extended deep-sea deployments.
As one of the most influential shipbuilding groups in Italy and across Europe, Fincantieri's strategic positioning continues to draw close attention from the industry.
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