Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched the fourth and final Al Zuarah-class corvette for the Qatar Emiri Navy.
The launch of Sumaysimah (F 104) took place at the shipbuilder’s Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard in a ceremony attended by representatives of the armed forces of Qatar and Italy.
Sumaysimah was launched after Fincantieri delivered the first of the four ships to Qatar in October last year.
Fincantieri is expected to deliver the final of four ships in the class by 2023.
In addition to the corvettes, Qatar will also receive two 63-meter offshore patrol vessels and a landing platform dock under a 4 billion euro contract signed in 2016.
Al Zubarah-class ships measure around 107 meters in length, and are equipped with a combined diesel and diesel plant (CODAD), with a maximum speed of 28 knots. The units will be able to accommodate 112 persons on board. Furthermore, the corvettes will be capable of operating high-speed boats such as RHIB through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern. The flight deck and hangar are sized for hosting one NH90 helicopter.
Leonardo-Finmeccanica will deliver main radars and on-board sensors and defense sub-systems, including 76/62 medium caliber and 30mm small caliber weapon systems, an anti-torpedo protection system and the Thesan mine avoidance sonar which is installed at the bow of the surface units.
MBDA will be responsible for delivering missile systems for the ships, which, according to the vertical launch cells seen on an illustration of the Al Zubarah shared by Fincantieri, could include Aster 30 surface to air, and Exocet anti-ship missiles. MBDA is also delivering coastal defense systems to Qatar under a separate contract.
