Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Fincantieri Launches Abu Dhabi ASW Corvette


On February 15 at Fincantieri's Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard, three separate ceremonies sealed the ongoing cooperation with the Navy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The shipbuilding program for the Navy of the United Arab Emirates provides for an at Abu Dhabi-class corvette (the lead ship), and two Falaj2 class patrol ships, plus other vessels on option.

The most significant event was the launch of the first corvette, the Abu Dhabi, which was built at Riva Trigoso (GE) shipyard and transferred to the Muggiano facility for fitting out. This ship is derived from the design of the “Comandanti”-class ships of the Italian navy and is fitted with on-board systems produced by Italian and European industry.

Simultaneously to the launch, the keel of the first “stealth” Falaj2-class patrol boat was laid and first metal was cut for its sister ship. These vessels, derived from the Italian Coast Guard’s “Diciotti”-class, will instead have a hull with stealth characteristics, ensuring a low radar signature.

The ceremony was attended by the Commander in Chief of the Military Maritime Department's Tyrrhenian coast, Admiral Franco Paoli, the Head of the UAE Naval Forces Brigadier General Ibrahim Almusharrakh, representatives of the UAE Navy and representatives of the New Ship Fitting Out and Trials Office (MARINALLES La Spezia).

As for other foreign navies (Iraq, Kenya, India, Finland) which have entering in ship-building programs with Italian shipyards, MARINALLES provides any and all support that will be required over the coming months of preparation and familiarization on the unit by its crew.

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