Luca Peruzzi, Doha - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
16 March 2018
While based on the LPD that Fincantieri built for Algeria, Qatar’s LPD will have more advanced sensors that will enable it to support the corvettes’ air defence capabilities. Source: Luca Peruzzi
Key Points
Qatar’s corvettes will have an anti-ballistic missile capability supported by the LPD’s Kronos Power Shield radar
Exocets and NH90 helicopters with Marte ER missiles will be their primary anti-surface weapons
The designs and capabilities of the new naval vessels that Fincantieri will build for the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) were unveiled during the DIMDEX show held in Doha on 12–14 March.
The contract awarded to Fincantieri in 2016 covers the design and supply of four multirole corvettes, a landing platform dock (LPD), and two offshore patrol vessels (OPV).
The corvettes will be large, with a length of 107 m, a full load displacement of 3,250 tonnes, and crews of 112. Although the design of the superstructure has yet to be finalised, the ships will have enclosed bows as well as hangars and flight decks for the NH90 helicopters Qatar has ordered.
While Fincantieri would not comment on the propulsion system, Jane’s understands it will be a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) package with four 8,000 kW MAN 22/38D engines driving two shafts with featherable controllable pitch propellers (FCPPs), providing a maximum speed of 28 kt.
The corvette class will have a new version of Leonardo’s Athena command management system and the MBDA SAAM ESD air defence system, which is based on the Leonardo Kronos Grand Naval radar and MBDA Aster 30 Block 1 surface-to-air missiles. The missiles will be fired from two eight-cell Naval Group Syler A-50 vertical launch systems (VLS) on the bow and will be able to intercept ballistic missiles as well as air-breathing threats. Close-in air defence will be provided by a Raytheon RIM-116 RAM launcher mounted above the hangar.
http://www.janes.com/article/78640/dimd ... s-unveiled
