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Falaj 2 Patrol Vessel

The Stealth Attack Craft feature advanced stealth characteristics to reduce their detectability. Highly flexible and versatile, they are suitable for a wide range of missions - from patrol and surveillance operations to self-defence in case of air or surface threats and attack against both sea and land targets - in national and international scenarios, while affording high standards of accommodation and safety.

Two ships - "Ghantut" and "Salahah" the sister ship launched June 2011, whose names come from an area of the Emirates near Abu Dhabi - were ordered in 2010 as part of the "Falaj 2" program. The contract provides the UAE Navy with an option for another two sister ships, as well as technology transfer to a local shipyard for possible construction of the sister vessels.

Capable of speeds in excess of 20 knots, they are 55 meters long with a beam of 8.80 meters and can accommodate a crew of 29. With a full loaded displacement of 600t, their main feature is their special stealth design making them difficult to detect by radar. Other features of these ships include their high level of flexibility in being able to carry out different types of mission in national and international waters (from patrol and surveillance, to defence from air and surface threats and attacks against land and sea targets), as well as their high standards of accommodation and safety.

Further features are their high capacity and flexibility in carrying out different mission profiles – ranging from patrolling and observing to self defence in case of threats from the air and surface and attack against both naval and land targets - in national and international operations, whilst at the same time affording high standards of accommodation and safety.

On June 08, 2012 at Fincantieri Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard there was the ceremony to mark the launch of the “Qarnen”, a patrol vessel under construction for the United Arab Emirates Navy. The delivery ceremony of two vessels for the United Arab Emirates Navy was held January 08, 2013 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia). These were an "Abu Dhabi Class" corvette, launched in February 2011, and the "Ghantut" patrol vessel, launched at the same yard in January 2012.

Proof of the strategic importance of the Middle East market and of the strong, successful partnership with the Emirates, is the fact that Fincantieri has set up Etihad Ship Building – a joint venture with Al Fattan Ship Industries and Melara Middle East. The new company operates in the design, construction and sale of different types of civilian and military vessels, as well as carrying out maintenance and refitting in loco. Indeed, nowadays in order to gain orders abroad it is necessary to build vessels in local shipyards. For this reason it is essential to have the right organisation in place so as to be in a position to assure the customer both quality and contained delivery time frames.