Musherib is the first of two new OPVs for Qatar. (Photo: Fincantieri)
Fincantieri on 31 January announced the delivery of the first-in-class Musherib-class OPV to the Qatari MoD.
Musherib is the first of a class of two OPVs ordered from Fincantieri as part of a €4 billion ($4.48 billion) naval acquisition programme which also includes four Al Zubarah-class corvettes and an LPD.
The OPV class measures 63m long and can reach a top speed of 30kts.
The second-in-class Sheraouh was launched in June 2021 and is also scheduled to be delivered this year.
Shephard Defence Insight notes the vessels are based on Fincantieri's 60m Fast Attack Craft but will be equipped with eight additional vertical launch system cells of MBDA's MICA surface to air missiles.
The A$4 billion Landing Craft Heavy contract for Austal follows on from a A$1 billion deal in December for Landing Craft Medium ships, but the Australian government has made it clear that a contract for Mogami frigates is reliant on the success of these two contracts.
As part of the Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike programme, the US Navy is pursuing drones capable of delivering palletised rounds or 1,000lb-class munitions.
Havelsan, VN Maritime and Piloda Defence will collaborate to develop and integrate a range of maritime solutions with a view to secure a first procurement contract in Italy in the first half of this year.
Export campaigns for Fincantieri’s submarines and frigates are central to the company’s ambitions as billions of dollars in unawarded contracts come into focus.
The USCG recently announced the award of a contract to Davie Defense for the supply of five ASCs, marking a major step in the acquisition programme as the US grows its presence in the Arctic.
As Russia commits billions to new warships and stealth submarines, the UK is reshaping its strategy with expanded troop deployments, shared frigate fleets and a shift towards uncrewed platforms.
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