Musherib (Q 61), the first of two OPVs built by Fincantieri for the Qatari navy. (Fincantieri)
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has delivered the first of two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) to the Qatari Emiri Navy.
The new OPV, named Musherib (P 61), was handed over during a ceremony held at Fincantieri's Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia on 31 January.
Musherib (P 61) and sister ship Sheraouh (P 62) form part of a EUR4 billion (USD4.47 billion) fleet renewal programme awarded to Fincantieri in June 2016. The contract includes four Al Zubarah-class multirole corvettes (the first of which was delivered in 2021), a landing platform dock, and a 10-year support and training package in Qatar.
Following its launch in June 2021, Sheraouh is also on schedule to be delivered during 2022, Fincantieri said.
The OPVs have a full load displacement of 725 tonnes, an overall length of 63.8 m, and carry a crew complement of 38. They are powered by four diesel engines, each driving shaftlines with controllable pitch propellers, to provide a top speed of 30 kt, and have a standard range of 1,500 n miles at 15 kt. The vessels are capable of operating a rigid-hull inflatable boat via a crane located at the stern.
Armament includes a Leonardo 76 mm Super Rapid gun, four MM40 Exocet Block III anti-ship missiles, eight MBDA VL MICA air-defence missiles, and two Leonardo Marlin WS 30 mm remotely controlled guns. The combat system and sensors are provided by Leonardo and comprise the Athena CMS, Kronos 3D radar, and fire-control system.
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