EU prepares for major naval project

French Defence Minister, Michele Alliot-Marie, has announced a joint project between France and Italy to build new multi-mission frigates. This joint deal would make it Europes largest and most expensive naval project in recent history with
27 new ships, 17 allocated to France and 10 to Italy, all to be delivered between 2011 and 2015.

The Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) will oversee the 13 billion USD project, which has awarded Armaris and Orizzonte Sistemi Navali the initial contracts. Final approval by the Italian senate was passed just in the past week when funding concerns arose over Italy's share(eur2 billion) in the project. However, with increased smuggling activity from the Balkans crossing into Italy's expansive coastline, little arguement was raised by it's critics.