UAE Navy takes delivery of third Corvette

Abu Dhabi: Vice Admiral Ibrahim Salem Al Mushrekh, Commander of the UAE Navy, has taken delivery of the third Corvette (Dhafra) from Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding Company (ADSB), the leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the Gulf region and a strategic affiliate of Mubadala. The vessel, part of Baynunah, the six Corvette Class Programme for the UAE Navy, which is the largest warship construction programme and a first-of-its-kind project in the region, was delivered in a grand ceremony attended by Homaid Al Shammari, Chairman of ADSB, and a number of top Armed Forces officers and senior ADSB managers. The navy commander signed the delivery paper of the Al Dhafra and then took a tour of the vessel and raised the UAE flag on it. The Baynunah Corvettes are a unique class of warship with multi-mission capabilities, including coastal patrol and surveillance, mine detection and avoidance, helicopter operations, as well as anti-air and anti-surface capabilities. In performing these missions, Baynunah will utilise the very latest in weapons and sensor technology. The Baynunah Corvette Class Programme is the biggest warship construction program in the region consisting of six state-of-the-art warships for the UAE Navy. Each of the 72-metre highly-advanced ships can be deployed for various missions, including coastal patrol and surveillance, helicopter operations, and peacetime patrols. The Baynunah-Class Corvettes' key features include a stealth-like superstructure, a helicopter landing deck and a hangar. The Corvettes will also be fitted with anti-ship missiles, and air-defence missiles; 3D Surveillance, Navigation and Fire Control Radars and a Multivendor electronic warfare suite. - Emirates News Agency, WAM