Future of the Eurocorvette (EPC/MMPC)
The project of the "Eurocorvette" - initially European Patrol Corvette (EPC), now Multi Modular Patrol Corvette (MMPC) - is a joint effort by a number of European nations, managed by OCCAR, as part of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) initiative among EU member states:
The project started in 2019 and has drawn over $250m funding of the EU until 2029, plus over $150m expected to be contributed by national budgets. It aims to produce two prototype ships of up to 110m length and around 3,000 tons of displacement by 2030, in two configurations:
- "Long Range Multipurpose" (LRM), which will have an OPV role (for France).
- "Full Combat Multipurpose" (FCM), which will be a more heavily armed corvette (for Italy).
Like many multinational projects, the MMPC is progressing slowly, to the point of questioning its future.
What is the opinion of the community on the prospects of the project?
Could it, if it proceeds, lead to a commercially successful design, capable of producing a few dozen units until 2050?