# Fincantieri and Leonardo plan stronger role for naval joint venture OSN A letter of intent seeks to strengthen the venture's industrial and commercial role as it handles Italy's DDX destroyer program. Published 2026-11-03 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/03/fincantieri-and-leonardo-plan-stronger-role-for-naval-joint/ Fincantieri and Leonardo signed a letter of intent on Nov. 3, 2026, at Euronaval in Paris to strengthen their naval joint venture, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN).[1] Fincantieri owns 51% of the venture and Leonardo 49%.[1] The partners are setting out their next phase of cooperation with a destroyer contract already signed.[1][2] On Sept. 24, OSN signed a contract with OCCAR, the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, for two DDX destroyers for the Italian Navy.[2] The contract is worth approximately €3.7 billion, including approximately €1.3 billion in options.[2] The new letter sets guiding principles for cooperation, including strengthening OSN's industrial and commercial role and developing opportunities in domestic and international markets.[1] OSN's work also includes FREMM EVO frigates under construction, Italian and international Legacy FREMM frigates, logistics support and four offshore patrol vessels.[1] ## Why it matters The DDX program shows how the partners' responsibilities meet inside OSN: Fincantieri designs and develops the naval platform as system integrator, while Leonardo designs and develops the combat system.[2] The companies intend the agreement to further consolidate OSN's position in integrating naval platforms and combat systems.[1][2] ## Sources 1. Leonardo: Fincantieri and Leonardo sign an agreement to further strengthen the role of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), Nov. 3, 2026 2. Leonardo: Orizzonte Sistemi Navali signs €3.7 billion contract for two DDX destroyers, Sept. 24, 2026