Qatar expects imminent OPV delivery
Musherib (P61) was launched at Fincantieri's La Spezia shipyard in September 2020 and started sea trials in April 2021. She is now ready to enter service with the QEN. (Photo: Fincantieri)
With the high-profile FIFA World Cup looming on the horizon this year, Qatar wants to enhance maritime security with new OPVs and other high-end warships.
The Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN) will receive its first new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) from Fincantieri at the end of January.
A spokesperson for the Italian shipbuilder told Shephard that the OPV, named Musherib (P61), will be delivered this month. It will be followed by Sheraouh (P62), which was launched in June 2021; the spokesperson confirmed that Fincantieri expects to deliver this vessel in mid-2022.
The OPVs are being built under a €4 billion ($4.67 billion) contract signed between the shipbuilder and the Qatar Emiri Armed Forces in June 2016 that also includes four Al Zubarah-class corvettes, a Landing Platform Dock (LPD)
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![HII and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries sign MoU to explore shipbuilding collaboration]()
HII and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries sign MoU to explore shipbuilding collaboration
The Memorandum of Understanding focused on speeding up naval shipbuilding and production in both companies.
-
![Latest Virginia-class submarine, USS Iowa, commissioned]()
Latest Virginia-class submarine, USS Iowa, commissioned
SSN-797 was commissioned as USS Iowa, the first Virginia-class submarine of the second Trump administration. It was described as “just the beginning” of a revitalisation of US naval shipbuilding by Secretary of the Navy John Phelan.
-
![Horizon-class vessels complete critical design review in mid-life upgrade]()
Horizon-class vessels complete critical design review in mid-life upgrade
The critical design review puts the vessels on course to be fully upgraded by the end of 2030.
-
![Canada begins work on heavy polar icebreaker to protect its high-Arctic sovereignty]()
Canada begins work on heavy polar icebreaker to protect its high-Arctic sovereignty
The vessel, made under the auspices of the country’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, will be the first heavy icebreaker built in Canada for over six decades.
-
![Fincantieri begins steel-cutting on FREMM EVO frigates for the Italian Navy]()
Fincantieri begins steel-cutting on FREMM EVO frigates for the Italian Navy
The two new frigates are expected to enter service by 2030.
