In the presence of Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Qatar Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, the Chief of Staff of the Navy of Qatar maj. gen. Abdulla Hassan Al Suleiti, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, welcomed by the president and CEO of Fincantieri Giampiero Massolo and Giuseppe Bono, the technical launch of the patrol vessel (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel) "Musherib" took place today at the Muggiano (La Spezia) plant, before unit of the homonymous class commissioned to Fincantieri by the Ministry of Defense of Qatar as part of the national naval acquisition program.
The launch, which took place privately and in full compliance with all health requirements in force, was preceded by the cutting of the first sheet of the “Sumaysimah” unit, the fourth corvette of the same program.
The "Musherib" OPV, which will be delivered in 2022, was designed in accordance with the RINAMIL for Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) and will be a highly flexible unit with the ability to perform multiple tasks ranging from patrolling to the role of a combat ship.
It has a length of approximately 63 meters, a width of 9,2 meters, a maximum speed of 30 knots, and can accommodate 38 crew members on board. The propulsion system includes four variable pitch propellers, two to starboard and two to port, each in line with a propulsion diesel engine. Additionally, the unit may employ an RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat), boarded by an aft crane.
The contract, which is worth almost 4 billion euros for Fincantieri, provides for the supply of seven surface vessels, of which four corvettes over 100 meters in length, an amphibious vessel (LPD - Landing Platform Dock), two patrol boats (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel) and support services in Qatar for an additional 10 years after delivery of the units. All the units are built entirely in the Group's Italian yards, ensuring continuity of work until 2024 and an important impact on the main Italian defense companies.
