UAE Navy Inducts First Indigenously Built Missile Boat

The United Arab Emirates has launched its indigenously developed first-ever Ghannatha class missile patrol boat for the Navy. The Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) was ordered to construct 12 new Missile Boats and retrofit the existing ADSB-built Ghannatha Phase I troop carriers into gun boats. The UAE Navy is expected to take delivery of the 12 vessels worth US$254.5m,by 2014. The vessel’s outfit includes auxiliary systems and art weapons, sensors and combat management system, fitted with a main gun forward and small gun. The vessels, each measuring 27 metres, are manufactured using marine-grade aluminium alloy and are powered by twin MTU marine diesel engines coupled to Rolls Royce waterjets, allowing the vessels to travel at speeds in excess of 35 knots. “We are again delighted to be able to launch another vessel for the UAE Navy. This project has potentially redefined inshore naval capability concepts. We believe that having a vessel under 30 metres fitted with two guns and a missile system will undoubtedly gain popularity for other regional operators,’’ said Mohamed Salem Al Junaibi, CEO of ADSB.