US Navy receives final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship
The delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.
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 delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.