Following the announcement made by the U.S. Navy on February 18, 2026, regarding the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program – covering up to 35 vessels – and stating that Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG) will execute the construction of four units, Fincantieri announces that its U.S. subsidiary has been awarded a $30 million contract for materials procurement and engineering activities for these first four vessels , formally initiating the first phase of the program and representing the first concrete step toward its execution.
Fincantieri press release
The award supports the immediate procurement of long lead time materials and the execution of engineering and critical industrial and production readiness activities for the first four vessels, enabling a start of construction as early as Q4 2026 .
This step represents a material acceleration for the LSM program and precedes a future award of construction contracts through the Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model, subject to applicable approvals and contractual arrangements.
The LSM program is a foundational element of the U.S. Navy’s fleet and of the U.S. Marine Corps’ force design, enabling distributed operations, enhanced littoral mobility, and the rapid maneuver and sustainment of forces in contested environments. Within the initial production phase, FMG is designated to build at least four vessels, reinforcing its role as a central industrial player in the program’s execution.
“The award of this contract represents an important step in the evolution of our long-standing partnership with the U.S. Navy. It reflects the confidence placed in the industrial capabilities built in the United States and in our ability to support complex naval programs with discipline, speed, and technical excellence. Through sustained investment, a skilled workforce, and a resilient industrial base, Fincantieri stands ready to support the Navy as they advance new operational concepts and future force requirements”
Pierroberto Folgiero , CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri
By adopting the VCM model, the U.S. Navy is reshaping naval shipbuilding through the application of commercial best practices, parallel production, and disciplined industrial execution. In this context, Fincantieri brings a uniquely scaled industrial platform in the U.S. , combining advanced shipyard infrastructure , production depth , and globally integrated technical expertise to deliver complex naval programs with certainty and momentum.
Over the past decade, Fincantieri has committed more than USD 800 million to its U.S. shipyards , transforming them into one of the most advanced and capable shipbuilding networks in the country . These investments underpin the Group’s ability to support multiple naval programs concurrently and to respond rapidly to evolving operational requirements.
Fincantieri Marine Group possesses a workforce of approximately 3,000 skilled U.S. workers and continues to enhance its human capital, industrial footprint, and technological capabilities to support the U.S. Navy’s long term operational ambitions and the sustained growth of the American maritime industrial base.
