Italian Fincantieri Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard has delivered the patrol boat ‘Salahah’ to the United Arab Emirates’ Navy.
The patrol vessel measures 55 metres in length and 8.60 in width and has the ability to reach over 20 knots speed. It can accommodate a crew of 28. Its main feature is its particular ‘stealth’ geometry which makes it difficult to trace by radar.
Further features include high capacity and flexibility in carrying out different mission profiles – ranging from patrolling and observing to self defence in case of threats from the air and surface and attack against both naval and land targets – in national and international operations, whilst at the same time affording high standards of accommodation and safety.
The vessel’s sister the Ghantut was delivered last January together with an “Abu Dhabi Class” corvette. The two patrol vessels were ordered in 2010 within the “Falaj 2” program.
The contract provides for an option for a further two vessels in addition to technology transfer to a local shipyard for the construction of future sister ships.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, April 23, 2013; Image: Fincantieri