FALAJ 3 Offshore Patrol Vessel Equips UAE Navy to Counter Piracy and Maritime Threats.

According to a PR published by EDGE on January 14, 2025, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), part of the EDGE Group, has achieved a pivotal moment with the launch of the first vessel in the FALAJ 3 programme.
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Launching ceremony of the Falaj 3 Offshore Patrol Vessel. (Picture source: ADSB)

The ceremony, conducted under the patronage of Rear Admiral Pilot Staff Major General Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces, brought together senior military officials and leaders from both ADSB and EDGE.

UAE Navy

The United Arab Emirates Navy (UAEN) serves as the maritime arm of the UAE Armed Forces, tasked with safeguarding the nation’s coastal and offshore assets. Despite its relatively modest size of around 3,000 personnel, the UAEN has undergone modernization to enhance its operational capabilities, transitioning from a coastal defense force to one capable of extended blue-water operations.

The fleet includes corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, fast attack craft, minehunters, and amphibious warfare ships. Among the corvettes, the Bani Yas-class, Abu Dhabi-class, and Baynunah-class stand out with advanced weapon systems such as surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and versatile naval guns. The offshore patrol vessels, like the Falaj 2-class and Arialah-class, offer robust surveillance and defense capabilities.

Fast attack craft, including the Mubarraz-class and Ban Yas-class, provide rapid response capabilities, while minehunters, such as the Frankenthal-class, focus on mine countermeasure operations critical to ensuring safe passage in contested waters. Amphibious warfare ships, including the Al-Quwaisat-class landing ship tanks and landing craft utility vessels.

The UAEN’s operational scope extends from coastal defense to blue-water missions, allowing sustained operations throughout the Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and even the Indian Ocean. The navy actively participates in international maritime security initiatives, including anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden, and has been involved in regional conflicts like the intervention in Yemen.