Posted on April 20, 2026
Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) has been awarded a $30 million contract by the U.S. Navy to begin the process of building the first four Medium Landing Ship (LSM) vessels under the Navy’s new acquisition framework.
The award supports the immediate procurement of long lead time materials and the execution of critical industrial and production-readiness activities, enabling a start of construction as early as Q4 2026. This step represents a material acceleration of the LSM program and precedes the 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 Navy’s fleet and its support to the 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, FMM is designated to build at least four vessels, reinforcing its role as a central industrial player in the program’s execution.
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 $800 million into its U.S. shipyards, transforming them into one of the most advanced and capable shipbuilding networks in the country. These investments underpin Fincantieri’s ability to support multiple naval programs concurrently and to respond rapidly to evolving operational requirements.
Commenting on the announcement, George Moutafis, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group, said: “This award signals a great start towards making good use of our advanced serial production capabilities and towards getting the first four of these important ships built quickly. The Navy, with tremendous support from the administration and Congress, has made shipbuilding and a leaner acquisition process a national priority, and we appreciate their confidence in our ability to deliver to the warfighter.”
Fincantieri Marine Group, with a workforce of approximately 3,000 skilled U.S. workers across the Midwest and Florida, and the capacity to support multiple production lines for different classes of vessels, 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.
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, the only player active in all high complexity marine industry sectors. The Group is a leader in the construction of cruise ships, naval and offshore vessels, and stands out for its extensive experience in the development of underwater solutions, thanks to its integrated industrial structure capable of managing and coordinating all activities related to the commercial, defense, and dual-use sectors.
It holds a strong presence in key markets also thanks to the internalization of high value-added, distinctive technologies; it is also a leader in sustainable innovation and in the digital transformation of the shipbuilding sector. The company is active in the field of mechatronics, electronics, and digital naval systems, as well as in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and marine interiors solutions. It also offers a wide range of after-sales services, including logistic support and fleet assistance.
With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, Fincantieri is a global player with a production network of 18 shipyards worldwide and over 24,000 employees; It maintains its know-how, expertise and management centers in Italy, where it directly employs approximately 13,000 workers and creates around 90,000 indirect jobs.
In the U.S., Fincantieri is led by Fincantieri Marine Group, who oversees three Wisconsin shipyards and a repair and sustainment facility in Jacksonville, Fla.
