ROME -- Rolls-Royce has been picked to supply propulsion to two new 40-meter Italian Navy special forces crafts, the firm said on Wednesday.

The two vessels, which are being built by Italy's Intermarine, form part of a massive, 5.4 billion Euro fleet-renewal program now underway at the Italian Navy.

The two vessels, known by the acronym UNPAV, which are eight meters wide, will be powered by three MTU 2000 series diesel engines connecting to three Kamewa S4 water jets, the firm said.

The vessels will be used for maritime traffic control, to combat human trafficking, for counter-terror and anti-piracy operations and for evacuations, the firm added.

Last March, Rolls-Royce made a breakthrough in the Italian market when it was given a 20 million Euro contract to supply its MT-30 engine to power a new Italian Landing Helicopter Dock, which is the largest ship in the fleet-rebuilding program.

General Electric's LM-2500+G4 turbine - the same engine now powering Italy's FREMM frigates - was picked for seven new Italian multi-purpose (PPA) vessels.

Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.

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