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
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How will the Canadian Coast Guard’s transfer to the DND umbrella affect its capabilities?]()
How will the Canadian Coast Guard’s transfer to the DND umbrella affect its capabilities?
By joining the defence department, the coast guard will need to acquire new solutions and adapt its in-service capabilities to ensure interoperability with the Canadian Armed Forces.
-
![UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration]()
UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration
The Type 26 will also be fitted with the Sea Ceptor vertically launched air defence system that can fire CAMM missiles and a 24-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system that can fire the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, anti-submarine rockets and long-range anti-ship missiles.
-
![Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026]()
Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026
While the first Joint Support Ship is currently in the final stages of outfitting, the second one is on schedule for launching next year.
-
![Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?]()
Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?
South Korean shipbuilders are beginning to make their mark beyond Asia, competing for major North American and European submarine programmes and becoming serious contenders on a global scale.
-
![AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official]()
AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official
Few concrete ideas have emerged so far on which “advanced capabilities” will be brought forward under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS partnership, but the Pentagon’s review of the programme could bring more clarity.
