President Trump visits Fincantieri Marinette Marine

“You are a national treasure,” President Trump told shipbuilders. “Your patriotism cannot be outsourced. You will forge the future of the Navy.” [Image: Fincantieri Marine Group] .

President Donald J. Trump visited Fincantieri Marinette Marine yesterday, following the shipyard’s recent award of a $795,116,483 Navy contract to design and produce the next generation small surface combatant, the Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)). Fincantieri Marinette Marine’s winning design is based on parent Fincantieri Group’s FREMM design, but evolved to meet U.S. Navy standards. The initial contract of $795 million is for the detailed design and construction of the first guided-missile frigate, with options for nine additional ships. The contract will be worth $5.5 billion, if all options are exercised by the Navy.

After touring the shipyard, which is currently producing Littoral Combat Ships, the president met with several Marinette Marine employees and offered remarks to a group of more than 700 employees, partners and local guests.

“You are a national treasure,” said the president. “Your patriotism cannot be outsourced. You will forge the future of the Navy.”

“We are honored to have the president here in Marinette,” said Dario Deste, president and CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “It means so much to the men and women who put their hearts and souls into building tremendous warships for this country.”

Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri bought Marinette Marine in 2009 and invested $180 million in it over the next decade. Now it is poised to invest an additional $200 million into infrastructure and improvements to accommodate work on larger ships.

“We are grateful of the president, Congress, and the Navy for their continued faith and confidence in our ability to give them the world’s greatest frigate,” said Deste.