DIMDEX 2018: Qatari Navy Showcasing its Future Air Defense LPD.

At DIMDEX 2018, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference held this week in Qatar, the Qatari Navy was showcasing for the very first time a scale model of its future air defense LPD.

The future LPD of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces.

Qatar confirmed in August 2017 its order for seven vessels from Fincantieri following the signing of a preliminary contract in June 2016. The deal consists in four air defence corvettes of over 100 meters in length, one amphibious vessel (LPD - Landing Platform Dock acting as mobile radar station for the corvettes), and two patrol vessels (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel).

 The future LPD on the Qatari Emiri Navy stand at DIMDEX 2018.

The LPD design selected by the Qatari Navy has a length of 142.90 meters, a maximum breadth of 21.50 meters, a draft of 5.40 meters for a full load displacement of 8,800 tons.

According to Fincantieri, the Qatari air defence LPD is a customization of the San Giusto-class already commissioned with the Italian Navy (as well as the Kalaat Béni Abbès of the Algerian Navy).

Performance data was not available at DIMDEX 2018 (except for the maximum speed of be 20 knots). However the Kalaat Béni Abbès-class has a range of 7,000 nautical miles (at 15 knots) and an endurance of about 30 days at sea. The propulsion system consists in 2x diesel engines, 2 shafts and 2 fixed pitched propellers plus one bow thruster.

The crew complement of the Qatari vessel will be 550 sailors. The flat deck is large enough to accommodate two NH90 helicopters (with 1x spot forward and 1x spot aft). There is potential space in the hangar for five NH90 helicopters in the hangar.

Artist impression of the LPD.

In terms of weapon systems, the LPD will be close in configuration to the Kalaat Béni Abbès-class: It will be fitted with a 76mm main gun by Leonardo, 16x VLS cells for ASTER 30 surface to air missiles (by MBDA), four Marlins 30mm remote weapon stations (Leonardo). No anti-ship missile launchers are present on the vessel, however the embarqued NH90 NFH will be able to deploy Marte ER (MBDA).

Leonardo is responsible for the integrated supply of the new naval units’ combat system (Athena), main radar system (Kronos) and on-board sensors and defence sub-systems, including the fire control system. The LPD is set to be fitted with the same L-band radar currently being developed by Leonard for the Italian Navy future LHD.
Four Sylena Mk2 decoy launchers by Lacroix will protect the vessels against anti-ship missile threats.

The LPD was designed to provide long range defense to the future Qatari Navy fleet, and deploy with the corvettes. It will act as the radar node for the air defence corvettes and their ASTER 30 missiles.

According to Fincantieri, the Qatari air defence LPD is a customization of the San Giusto-class already commissioned with the Italian Navy (as well as the Kalaat Béni Abbès of the Algerian Navy).

The contract also includes support services in Qatar for 15 years (10 for the corvettes and 5 for the OPVs and LPD) after the delivery of the vessels. All the units will be entirely built in Fincantieri Italian shipyards starting from 2018, ensuring 6 years of work and an important impact on the main Italian defense companies.

Fincantieri and the Qatari Navy are also showcasing for the first time the designs of the Corvette and the OPV.