In late November 2025, Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG) outlined a revised path for the Constellation-class frigate program, updating the initiative to match the U.S. Navy’s shifting operational needs. Under the updated framework, the Navy will move forward only with the first two frigates already in production, while the four additional ships originally planned will not proceed.
The change reflects a wider modernization strategy within the Navy, which is opting for a fleet mix built around smaller, faster, and more adaptable vessels. New priorities include manned and unmanned platforms designed to respond quickly in contested environments, support amphibious operations, strengthen ice-capable capacities, and handle specialized missions with more agility than traditional large-surface combatants.
For FMG, the revised agreement provides continuity and stability across its U.S. shipyards in Marinette, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, and Jacksonville. The company has invested more than US$ 800 million in infrastructure upgrades and now employs roughly 3,750 people – including about 850 workers hired over the past year. These shipyards remain central to FMG’s long-term strategy to serve as a reliable industrial partner for the United States.
The new arrangement also includes financial measures that compensate FMG for the cancelled ships – a recognition that the shift stems from strategic recalibration rather than performance issues. Both sides have stressed that the partnership remains strong and is expected to evolve toward new naval priorities.
Looking ahead, the Navy plans to direct future shipbuilding funds toward programs that better match its updated force-structure goals. This may include small-surface combatants, highly maneuverable support vessels, icebreakers, amphibious platforms, and next-generation unmanned systems. FMG’s modern yards and expanded workforce place the company in a strong position to compete for these upcoming opportunities.
The Constellation-class frigate program, once envisioned as a larger procurement effort, now enters a more streamlined phase. With two ships moving toward completion and four withdrawn from the order book, both FMG and the Navy are pivoting toward a model built on flexibility, rapid adaptation, and mission-tailored capability.
For Fincantieri Marine Group, the message is clear: maintain capacity, stay aligned with evolving strategic needs, and continue playing a central role in shaping the future of the U.S. fleet – a future increasingly defined by speed, versatility, and a more dynamic mix of platforms.
