Qatar has become the first export customer for Ares Shipyard's Ares 40 fast interceptor craft. (Ares Shipyard)
The Ministry of Interior Qatar has signed a contract with Ares Shipyard for the procurement of three Ares 40 fast interceptor craft (FICs), the Turkish shipbuilder announced on 6 June.
Under the terms of the contract, which was signed during the MILIPOL exhibition in Doha on 25 May, the vessels are to be delivered to Qatar by early 2023.
The construction of the boats is set to begin in July, with Qatar being the first customer of the vessels, an Ares shipyard official told Janes.
The advanced composite hull and IACS-classed ARES 40 fast interceptor craft have a top speed of 60 kt, and will be used to conduct fast interception, boarding, escorting missions, as well as anti-human trafficking and anti-smuggling operations. According to Ares Shipyard, the craft can be armed with 12.7 mm remote-controlled stabilised weapon stations supported with electro-optic sensors on the roof-top.
With a displacement of nine tonnes, the boats have an overall length of 12.4 m, a beam of 3.3 m, and a draught of 0.66 m. Powered by two Yanmar 6LF550 engines with a surface drive propulsion system, the vessels cover a range of 250 n miles and can embark a crew of four.
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