The Qatar Emiri Navy has taken delivery of its second Al Zubarah-class corvette from Fincantieri in a ceremony at the shipbuilder’s Muggiano yard in Italy on April 28.
Damsah, as the second of four ships in its class on order is named, was delivered after being launched in February last year. The delivery of Damsah also closely follows the hand-over of the lead ship, RBNS Al Zubarah, from October last year.
Also referred to as the Doha-class, the corvettes are part of seven-ship contract worth 4 billion euros, which was signed between Italy and Qatar in 2016. In addition to the corvettes, Qatar will also receive two 63-meter offshore patrol vessels and a landing platform dock.
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. Qatar received the first pair of NH90 helicopters in the naval variant earlier this month.
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 previously 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.
