Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has marked the official start of construction of the first Doha-class corvette for the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces.
The steel cutting ceremony for the vessel took place on Monday at the Muggiano (La Spezia) yard, in the presence of the Qatari defense minister, His Excellency Khalid Bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and the Italian defense minister, Elisabetta Trenta.
The corvette is built under a larger, 4-billion-euro contract which will see the Italian shipbuilder deliver a total of seven surface vessels: four corvettes, one amphibious vessel (landing platform dock) and two offshore patrol vessels.
The contract also includes support services in Qatar for further 10 years after the delivery of the vessels.
All the units will be entirely built in Fincantieri’s Italian shipyards starting from this year.
Fincantieri said the first Doha-class corvette is designed consistent with the RINAMIL rules and will be capable of fulfilling a range of tasks, from surveillance with sea rescue capacities to being a fighting vessel.
The corvettes will be about 107 meters long, 14.70 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 28 knots. They are equipped with a combined diesel and diesel turbine plant (CODAD) accommodate 112 persons on board, with a crew of 98.
The vessel will be capable of operating high-speed boats such as RHIBs through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern. The flight deck and hangar are sized for hosting one NH90 helicopter.