(Adnkronos) – Fincantieri subsidiary WASS Submarine Systems signed a contract worth over 200 million euros with Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry to supply state-of-the-art MU90 lightweight torpedoes and logistics support services for the Saudi navy, the Italian shipbuilder stated on Tuesday.
The agreement represents the biggest-ever contract for WASS and a new record in its order acquisitions following a recent Indian Navy deal, the Fincantieri statement said.
It is the first contract, WASS has signed directly with the Saudi defence ministry – a key market for Fincantieri – and paves the way for future deals, the statement underlined.
“This contract represents a milestone for WASS and for the entire Fincantieri Group. It confirms the technological excellence and reliability of our underwater systems, as well as our ability to operate as a trusted partner in highly strategic and complex defence programmes,” said Fincantieri’s CEO and managing director, Pierroberto Folgiero.
“This achievement concretely accelerates our industrial presence in Saudi Arabia, a key market for the Group, and embodies our long-term commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s forthcoming naval capabilities through advanced solutions, industrial cooperation and sustained local engagement with and end-to-end approach,” Folgiero added.
The order will be managed by WASS’s Livorno facility, a recognised centre of excellence in underwater systems, with delivery of the torpedoes scheduled for 2029-2030, the statement said.
The deal’s signing was unveiled during the 2026 World Defence Show exhibition in Riyadh, by WASS chief executive Andrea Adorni and Ibrahim bin Ahmed al-Suwayed, deputy Saudi armaments and procurement minister. Folgiero was also among those attending.
The MU90 torpedo is already in service with Italy’s navies and those over 10 other countries. Designed and built with the most advanced technology, it can operate in complex anti-submarine warfare. The torpedo can be deployed from surface vessels and fixed or rotary wing aircraft, according to the statement.
