UAE Navy’s first Falaj 3-class OPV enters service

The first Falaj 3-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) built for the UAE Navy has been commissioned, EDGE Group’s entity Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) revealed.

As informed, the commissioning ceremony for the missile boat Altaf was held at the Naval Defense and Maritime Security Exhibition NAVDEX 2025 today (February 19, 2025).

ADSB received a contract to build four Falaj 3-class offshore patrol vessels back in 2021, and the first unit was launched in January this year.

The Falaj-3 class is described as a highly flexible and versatile offshore patrol vessel that will be used to carry out a wide range of missions. The new offshore patrol ships will have a length of 60 meters, a breadth of 9.5 meters, and a depth of 4.45 meters.

Falaj 3 class will be powered by 4 high-power engines using 4 propellers to attain speeds in excess of 26 knots, according to ADSB. It will have 4 generators capable of producing 1.2 MW of power.

The vessels will be equipped with an integrated platform management system to monitor and control all platform systems from one single point. It will boast of wide array of safety and fire-fighting equipment and include rigid hull inflatable boats.

Based on the Fearless-class platform developed by ST Engineering, the ships will be capable of operation in both littoral and blue waters. They will be able to accommodate 39 crew members.

“The commissioning of the ‘ALTAF’, the first-of-class vessel of the prestigious FALAJ3 programme, is a proud moment for EDGE, ADSB, and the UAE’s defence industry. This achievement underscores our leadership in delivering sophisticated naval capabilities and reflects the nation’s ambition to be at the forefront of naval innovation. I congratulate the entire ADSB team for their dedication and engineering excellence in delivering a programme of this scale, setting a new benchmark for national shipbuilding and reinforcing the UAE’s sovereign capabilities,” Khaled Al Zaabi, President – Platforms & Systems, EDGE and Chairman of ADSB, said.

“Delivering the first-of-class ‘ALTAF’ is a testament to ADSB’s ability to execute complex naval programmes with precision and efficiency. This vessel showcases the strength of our engineering, the dedication of our team, and our commitment to advancing the UAE’s shipbuilding industry. Successfully taking a project of this scale from design to commissioning reflects ADSB’s growing role as a regional leader in maritime defence. I commend our entire team for their relentless pursuit of excellence and contribution to enhancing the UAE’s sovereign naval capabilities,” David Massey, CEO of ADSB, added.