In the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Qatar Khalid Bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta, welcomed by Fincantieri President and CEO Giampiero Massolo and Giuseppe Bono, took place today at the Muggiano plant (La Spezia) the ceremony for the cutting of the first class "Doha" corvette, commissioned by Fincantieri from the Ministry of Defense of Qatar as part of the national naval acquisition program.
In the acquisition of this prestigious contract, Fincantieri prevailed over the other competitors thanks to a project considered to be the most advanced and innovative. Today's presence of the two ministers bears witness to the international value acquired by Fincantieri which, thanks to the experience gained in the construction of ships hi-tech, is also a reference group in the military sector.
The contract, which for Fincantieri is worth almost 4 billion, provides for the supply of seven surface vessels, including four corvettes, an amphibious ship (LPD - Landing Platform Dock) and two patrollers (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel) and services support in Qatar for additional 10 years after the delivery of the units. All ships will be built entirely on the Italian shipyards of the Group starting this year.
At the ceremony were present, among others, the commander of the naval forces of the Emirate, general staff general Abdullah Bin Hassan Al Sulaiti and the chief of staff of the Navy, admiral of team Valter Girardelli.
The first class "Doha" corvette, of which today the first sheet has been cut, is designed according to the RINAMIL regulation and will be a highly flexible unit with the capacity to perform many tasks ranging from patrolling with rescue capability at sea to role of fighting ship. It will have a length of about 107 meters, a width of 14,70 meters, a maximum speed of 28 knots, will be equipped with a combined diesel and diesel propulsion system (CODAD) and will accommodate on board 112 people of which 98 of crew.
In addition, the unit will be able to 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.