Abu Dhabi Ship Building Launches UAE Navy Corvette

Abu Dhabi Ship Building, the leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the Gulf region and a strategic affiliate of Mubadala, has today launched “Mezyad”, the fourth vessel of the Baynunah Corvette Class Program for the UAE Navy and the third vessel under the Baynunah fleet constructed by Abu Dhabi Ship Building. The vessel was launched in the presence of senior officials from the UAE Navy and Abu Dhabi Ship Building.

The Mezyad features the highest level of outfitting prior to launch as it is equipped with propulsion machinery including engine and weapons such as Main Gun, Side Guns that were installed in June, September and October 2011. More than 100 kilometres of electrical cables and a large number of piping and equipment have also been installed to complete the outfitting phase of the Mezyad, which has also undergone complete grid blasting and painting.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building also announced today that it has completed the extension of the quay wall of its shipbuilding facility by about 155 meters, and has finished construction of a new pontoon and an electrical substation. The expansion program enables Abu Dhabi Ship Building to accommodate more vessels for fit outs, tests and trials.

Mohamed Salem Al Junaibi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ship Building, said: “The launch of the Mezyad once again demonstrates Abu Dhabi Ship Building’s advanced capabilities and strong commitment to the highest quality standards. The Baynunah Corvette Class Program, which is the largest warship construction program and a first-of-its-kind project in the region, will significantly boost the arsenal of the UAE Navy and enable it to effectively fulfil its constitutional duty of protecting the UAE’s maritime territory. The launch of the fourth vessel of the Baynunah Corvette Class Program is certainly an excellent way to start 2012, marking another milestone in our years of excellence and success as a leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the region and around the world. Moreover, Abu Dhabi Ship Building has even more reason to celebrate as we announce the expansion of our shipbuilding facility’s quay wall, which allows us to accommodate more ships and serve our clients better.”

Construction of the Mezyad started with steel cutting for hull construction on May 10, 2007. The keel was laid on November 28, 2007, while the hull was completed in 2008 and the superstructure was installed later that year. The ship’s hull is made of steel and the superstructure is made of marine-grade aluminium.

The Baynunah Corvette Class Program 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 corvettes can be deployed for various missions, including coastal patrol and surveillance, helicopter operations, and peacetime patrols.

The Baynunah-Class Corvettes’ key features include a stealthy-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.

The Baynunah Program is being undertaken at the world-class Abu Dhabi Ship Building facility in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. The first of the Baynunah vessels was built at CMN’s Cherbourg yard under a subcontract agreement with Abu Dhabi Ship Building. The second Baynunah vessel, named ‘Al Hesen’, and the third vessel, named “Al Dhafra”, were launched in 2011. All six corvette vessels are expected to be delivered to the UAE Navy by 2014.

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Naval Today Staff , February 15, 2012; Image: ADSB