Breaking News: Italy's Fincantieri Shipbuilding Company Delivers Advanced Amphibious Vessel LPD 'Al Fulk' to Qatar.

On November 29, 2024, Fincantieri, the renowned Italian shipbuilding company, officially handed over the amphibious vessel LPD "Al Fulk" to the Ministry of Defence of Qatar. The ceremony, held at Fincantieri's Muggiano shipyard, marked the successful completion of a significant naval modernization program for the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF). Attendees included Staff Major General Abdulla Bin Hassan Al Sulaiti, Commander of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, and Vice Admiral Andrea Gueglio, Director of the Italian Navy Military Personnel Directorate. Representing Fincantieri were CEO Pierroberto Folgiero and Dario Deste, General Manager of the Naval Vessels Division.
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Qatar's newly commissioned advanced amphibious vessel, LPD 'Al Fulk,' delivered by Italy's Fincantieri, showcasing its cutting-edge design and operational versatility at the Muggiano shipyard. (Picture source: Fincantieri)

The "Al Fulk" is an advanced amphibious transport dock, developed as an enlarged and enhanced version of the San Giorgio class. The design closely mirrors the Algerian Navy’s Kalaat Béni Abbès, incorporating additional features and capabilities tailored to the operational requirements of the QENF. Measuring 143 meters in length and 21.5 meters in width, the vessel displaces 8,800 tons and offers a versatile platform for a variety of missions.

The ship is powered by two Wärtsilä 12V32 diesel engines, generating a combined 12,000 kW (16,000 hp). This propulsion system allows the vessel to reach a maximum speed of 20 knots and provides an impressive range of 7,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots. This makes "Al Fulk" suitable for long-duration deployments, enhancing its strategic utility.

"Al Fulk" features a continuous flight deck equipped with dual helicopter landing spots, one at the bow and the other at the stern. It can operate up to three NH90 helicopters and includes a hangar for maintenance and storage. The vessel's interior houses a spacious garage with two ramps for rapid deployment of vehicles and an internal well dock capable of launching landing craft, enabling effective amphibious operations. Designed to accommodate 440 soldiers in addition to its 150-member crew, it serves as both a troop transport and a mobile command center.

A defining feature of "Al Fulk" is its capability to perform ballistic missile defense operations alongside its amphibious mission profile. It is equipped with advanced sensor and weapons systems, including the Leonardo Kronos Power Shield radar, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) system for long-range surveillance and missile detection. The ship also features two 8-cell SYLVER A50 vertical launch systems, capable of deploying Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles for air defense and ballistic missile interception.

The vessel’s armament includes a 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapido gun, ideal for engaging both surface and aerial threats, and four 30 mm OTO Melara Marlin WS rapid-fire guns for close-in defense. Additionally, Lacroix Defense Sylena Mk2 decoy launchers provide enhanced survivability against missile threats.

"Al Fulk" is built to RINAMIL standards, ensuring robust performance across air, sea, and land domains. Its versatility enables it to undertake diverse missions, including disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, force projection, and naval defense. The vessel embodies Qatar’s ambition to modernize its naval capabilities, reinforcing its strategic posture and readiness to address regional security challenges.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, highlighted the vessel's innovative design and technological advancements, stating that "Al Fulk" is a testament to the company’s ability to meet the evolving demands of modern naval forces. As this vessel joins the QENF fleet, it underscores Qatar’s commitment to maritime security and Fincantieri’s leadership in delivering state-of-the-art naval platforms.

The delivery of "Al Fulk" underscores the strong and growing defense partnership between Italy and Qatar, with Fincantieri playing a pivotal role in advancing Qatar's naval capabilities. This collaboration reflects Italy’s commitment to supporting Qatar’s strategic objectives through cutting-edge technology and innovation, fostering deeper ties between the two nations. As a cornerstone of this relationship, Fincantieri continues to strengthen its reputation as a trusted partner in Qatar’s naval modernization efforts, enhancing interoperability and mutual security in the region.