Logistic Support Ships: European designs and programmes By Luca Peruzzi
The Italian Navy has a requirement for three 27,200 tonnes Vulcano-class Logistic Support Ships (LSSs), of which the first-of-class was delivered by Fincantieri last March with a 10-year support package. The second ship is being financed in the 2020-2022 defence planning document. © Luca Peruzzi
The current and future geostrategic scenarios which require forward operating naval capabilities beyond the waters around the Old Continent have been pushing European navies and shipbuilders to develop new Logistic Support Ships (LSSs) also called Combat Support Ship (CSSs) capable not only to conduct replenishment of liquid and solid payloads at sea but also to provide command and control, maintenance and medical support (including humanitarian aid) for the naval task groups operating in distant waters. This already happens for missions in the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans but more emphasis will be given in the future towards the Asia-Pacific theatre of operations also by the European navies. The missions to be conducted by the LSSs and CCSs are more demanding than the previous single-mission Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) platforms, which are also evolving while in service. The new LSSs and CCSs are more commonly equipped with small combat systems with self-protection weapons and command, control and communications equipment and space for afloat commands, as reported in this analysis looking to the main European programmes.
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EDR | September/October 2021
