TSAMTO, May 4. Fincantieri announced the handover ceremony of the Damsah class corvette to the Qatari Navy on April 28 at the company in Mugiano (La Spezia).
A series of Al-Zubarah-class corvettes was ordered by the Ministry of Defense of Qatar as part of the national fleet modernization program. The Damsakh corvette is the second in this series.
As reported by TSAMTO, on June 16, 2016, Fincantieri and MBDA signed contracts with the command of the Qatari Navy for the supply of warships and weapons systems for them in the amount of about 5 billion. euro. Fincantieri's share in the contract is about 4 billion. euro. The Italian Leonardo group will supply artillery systems, radar systems and electronics for the ships.
Under the terms of the contract, Fincantieri is to build 7 new-generation surface ships, including four corvettes, one amphibious helicopter dock ship (LPD - Landing Platform Dock), two coastal patrol ships (OPV – Offshore Patrol Vessel), as well as provide related services. All ships must be built at the Italian shipyard Fincantieri within 6 years, starting in 2018. The agreement also includes servicing of all ships in Qatar for 10 years after delivery.
The cutting of steel for the construction of the lead corvette, Al-Zubarah, began at the end of July 2018. It was transferred to the Qatar Navy on October 28, 2021. Damsakh was launched in February 2021, the third ship of the series, Al Khor, in September 2021, and the fourth, Sumaysimakh, in March 2022.
The lead patrol ship OPV was launched in February 2019, the second in June 2021. The first OPV ship, (P 61) Musherib, was transferred to the Qatar Navy on January 31, 2022. The second ship should be delivered to the customer in 2023.
The Al-Zubarah-class corvette is designed in accordance with RINAMIL standards. It is designed to perform various tasks, from reconnaissance to participation in combat operations. The length of the corvette is 107 m, width – 14.7 m, displacement – 3250 tons. The ship is equipped with a combined CODAD–type power plant and develops a maximum speed of 28 knots, a cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots. 112 people can be accommodated on board, there are places for high-speed RHIB boats. The flight deck and hangar are designed to accommodate one NH-90 helicopter. The armament includes a 76-mm Super Rapid AU, a VPU with 16 Aster-30 Block-1 missiles, 8 MM40 Block-3 PKR, a Mk.49 RAM SAM, two Marlin-WS DUMV of the Leonardo group.
