Abu Dhabi yard wins major UAE Navy order

Under a contract announced by the UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) is to construct twelve new boats for the UAE Navy and retrofit twelve existing boats.

The contract calls for the supply of 12 combat vessels at a value of Dh 771.1 million and upgrading another 12 combat vessels at total cots of Dh 164.3 million. The total contract was valued at Dh 935.4 million and delivery is scheduled within four years with the first unit slated for completion in 18 months from now.

The 26.5m aluminium ‘Fast Fighting Boats’ will be arranged in three different versions, each to fulfil different mission requirements. One will be fitted with the MBDA Marte Mk2/N Missile system, another with the Patria NEMO 120mm Mortar System, and the third version will be fitted with Rheinmetall 27mm guns.

These highly sophisticated vessels will provide considerable defensive fire power support for the UAE Naval Forces. Weapons system integration for all three different configurations of the vessel will be undertaken by Abu Dhabi Systems Integration (ADSI), a UAE joint venture company formed in 2006 by ADSB and Selex Sistemi Integrati of Italy. Designed by Swedeship Marine of Sweden, the vessels are based on the proven ADSB supplied ‘Ghannatha’ class fast troop transport vessel currently in service with the UAE Naval Forces and the Critical National Infrastructure Authority.

The vessels will be propelled by twin MTU marine diesel engines coupled to Rolls Royce FF waterjets which will give a maximum speed in excess of 40 knots, excellent manoeuvrability, and the ability to operate in extremely shallow waters.