The setting ceremony of the first “Doha” class corvette, commissioned from Fincantieri by the Qatar Ministry of Defense as part of the national naval acquisition program, took place today at the Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard.
The ceremony was attended, among others, by Brig. Mubarak Al Sulaiti, Deputy Chief of the Flotilla, representing the Commander of the Navy of the Emirate of Qatar, welcomed by Angelo Fusco, Director of the Military Ships Division of Fincantieri.
The corvette, which will be delivered in the 2021, is designed according to the RINAMIL regulation. It is a highly flexible unit with the ability to perform multiple tasks ranging from patrolling with sea rescue capabilities to the role of a combat ship. It has a length of about 107 meters, a width of 14,70 meters, a maximum speed of 28 knots, is equipped with a combined diesel and diesel propulsion system (CODAD) and can accommodate 112 people on board of which 98 of crew.
In addition, the unit can use fast RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) vehicles embarking them using a side crane and a ramp located at the extreme stern. The flight deck and the hangar are equipped to accommodate an NH90 helicopter.
In acquiring this prestigious contract signed with the Qatar Ministry of Defense in 2016, Fincantieri prevailed over other competitors thanks to a project considered to be the most advanced and innovative of all. This result was also achieved thanks to the experience gained in the construction of hi-tech ships for some of the most prestigious foreign navies.
The contract, which is worth almost 4 billion euros for Fincantieri, provides for the supply of seven surface vessels, of which four corvettes, an amphibious vessel (LPD - Landing Platform Dock) and two patrol vessels (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel) and services support in Qatar for an additional 10 years after delivery of the units.
