Class overview
BuildersFincantieri
Operators United Arab Emirates Navy
Planned4
Completed2
General characteristics
TypePatrol boat
Displacement550 tonnes
Length55.7 m (182 ft 9 in)
Beam8.8 m (28 ft 10 in)
Draught2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
Propulsion2 × MTU diesels 16V 4000 M90 (2,720 kW each), 4 × Isotta Fraschini generators
Speed>20 knots
Complement28 officers and crew
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament

The Falaj 2 class are patrol boats of the United Arab Emirates Navy classified as stealth inshore patrol vessels (IPVs).[1]

Description

The Falaj 2 class is based on the Italian Diciotti-class offshore patrol vessel, in use with the Italian Coast Guard. The Diciotti class is based itself on the earlier experimental Saettia class, a missile attack boat demonstrator designed and built by Fincantieri.[2] The specifications require a highly flexible and versatile vessel to carry out a wide range of missions, from patrol and surveillance operations over attacks against both targets at sea and on land in national and international scenarios up to self-defence against threats from the air or surface. A special feature of the vessels is their particular stealth geometry to ensure their reduced radar detect ability.

History

The contract for Falaj 2-class vessels was signed 2009,[3] according to other sources 2010. It included the option for two more vessels to be built by Etihad Ship Building, a newly established joint venture based in Abu Dhabi between Fincantieri of Italy and the local firms Melara Middle East and Al Fattan Ship Industry.[4] The technology transfer is part of the order.

In May 2021 it was announced that Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) was assigned with the building of four Falaj-3 offshore patrol vessels for the UAE navy, highly flexible and versatile OPV planned to perform a wide range of missions.[5][6]

Ships

Number Pennant No Name Builder Launched Commissioned Fleet Home Port Status
1 P251 Ganthoot La Spezia 25 January 2012[7] 8 January 2013 unknown unknown In Service
2 P252 Salahah La Spezia 8 June 2012[8] 22 April 2013 unknown unknown In Service

Variants

At the beginning of June 2020, there were media reports in context of the sale of the two Bergamini-class FREMM frigates Spartaco Schergat and Emilio Bianchi to Egypt, according to which Egypt is also to receive 20 patrol boats modelled on the Falaj-2 class as part of a large package.[9][10]

References

  1. ↑ Naval Vessel. Fincatieri product overview. |accessdate=2012-03-03.
  2. ↑ "Saettia MK4, Diciotti Class Patrol Vessel, Iraq". naval-technology.com. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  3. ↑ Naval Vessel. Fincatieri product overview. |accessdate=2012-03-03.
  4. ↑ Mini submarines to be built in capital. "The National". |accessdate=2012-03-03.
  5. ↑ "ADSB awarded Dh3.5b contract to build 4 patrol vessels". Khaleej Times. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  6. ↑ "UAE awards local firm ADSB $950 mln naval patrol vessel contract". Nasdaq, Inc. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  7. ↑ "Fincantieri Launches the "Ganthoot", First of Two Falaj 2 class Stealth Patrol Vessel for the UAE Nav". naval-technology.com. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "SECOND PATROL VESSEL FOR THE EAU NAVY LAUNCHED: THE "QARNEN"". naval-technology.com. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  9. ↑ "Italian government reportedly approves frigate sale to Egypt". janes.com. 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  10. ↑ "Italian-Egyptian arms deal: (At least) two FREMM frigates go to the Nile". defenceweb.co.za. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
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