UAE Navy has taken delivery of two vessels from Fincantieri during a ceremony held at the company’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia), Italy.

They are the first Abu Dhabi anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate and Falaj 2-class patrol vessel, Ghantut.

The ships have been designed to support a range of naval missions from patrol and surveillance to defending against air and surface threats, as well as attack both land and sea targets, while providing the navy with higher standards of accommodation and safety.

Abu Dhabi-class corvette and Ghantut patrol vessel were launched in February 2011 and January 2012 respectively.

"The ships have been designed to support a range of naval missions from patrol and surveillance to defending against air and surface threats."

The navy signed a contract with Fincantieri in January 2010 for construction of the two ships, and included an option for two additional vessels, along with transfer of technology to a local shipyard as a part of the Falaj 2-class programme.

Capable of carrying a crew of 28, the Falaj 2-class patrol boats are 55m-long, 8.6m-wide and can cruise at a maximum speed of 20k.

Abu Dhabi-class ships will be used by the navy to perform patrolling and surveillance operations in addition to antisubmarine, anti-aircraft and surface missions.

In addition to providing highly flexible operational capabilities, the Abu Dhabi-class boats can exchange real-time tactical data with other naval vessels, helicopters and onshore bases to support naval missions.

Powered by two diesel engines of 7000kW each, the 88m-long Abu Dhabi-class ships have a full load displacement of 1,650t, a beam of 12m and can cruise at a speed of 25k with a range of more than 14k.