Fincantieri delivers first corvette for Qatar
Al Zubarah is the first of four corvettes for Qatar. (Photo: USN)
Fincantieri has received a major contract from Qatar that included the four corvettes and other vessels in 2016.
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri on 28 October delivered the first of four corvettes for Qatar.
The vessel (Al Zubarah) was delivered during a restricted ceremony due to COVID-19. The event was attended by Qatar Armed Forces (QAF) Chief of Staff Gen Salem Hamad Al Nabit, Qatar Emiri Naval Forces Commander Staff Maj Gen (Sea) Abdullah Hassan Al-Sulaiti, and Italian representatives.
The highly flexible corvettes are 107m long and powered by a combined diesel and diesel propulsion system to produce a top speed of 28kt.
The corvettes can carry rigid hull inflatable boats, embarked via a side crane and extreme stern ramp.
The flight deck and hangar facilities on the Qatari vessels can accommodate the NH90 helicopter.
The second ship (Damsah) was launched in February 2021, and the third, Al Khor, in October.
The fourth and final corvette, Sumaysimah, was also laid down in February.
Delivery of the further three vessels is expected in 2022 and 2023.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition]()
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
-
![Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?]()
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
-
![How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?]()
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
![Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment]()
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
![South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest]()
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
-
![Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline]()
Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.
