FINCANTIERI launches first Qatar's corvette named Al Zubarah.

The technical launch of corvette "Al Zubarah", the first of the Doha-class ordered to Fincantieri by the Qatari Ministry of Defence within the national naval acquisition program, took place today at Fincantieri's shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia).

Artist impression of Doha-class corvette (Picture source: Fincantieri)

The vessel, which will be delivered in 2021, is designed consistent with the RINAMIL rules. She will be a flexible type of ship capable of fulfilling a range of tasks, from surveillance with sea rescue capabilities to being a fighting vessel, being about 107 meters long, 14.70 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 28 knots. The unit will be provided with a combined diesel and diesel plant (CODAD) and will be able to accommodate 112 persons on board.

Furthermore, the vessel will be capable of operating high-speed boats such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern. The flight deck and hangar will be sized for hosting one NH90 helicopter.

The Doha-class corvettes will primary serve for air defense missions and therefore will have very substantial firepower for their size. They will be fitted with:

16 Aster 30 Block 1 surface-to-air missiles by MBDA,
8 Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles by MBDA,
a 76mm main gun and 2 Marlins remote weapons stations by Leonardo,
torpedo tubes
a RAM launcher (21 missiles) by Raytheon
4 Sylena Mk2 decoy launchers by Lacroix

The corvette is being built under a larger, EUR 4 billion contract which will see the Italian shipbuilder deliver a total of seven surface vessels, four corvettes, one amphibious vessel (landing platform dock) and two offshore patrol vessels.