Fincantieri: A Trio of Milestones Celebrating Qatar’s Future
The official unveiling of the patrol vessel (OPV – Offshore Patrol Vessel) “Sheraouh,” the second in the OPV series requested by the Qatari Ministry of Defence under the national naval procurement initiative, occurred today at the Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard. This initiative amounts to nearly 4 billion euros and includes, besides the 2 OPVs, both set for delivery in 2022, 4 corvettes exceeding 100 meters in length and one amphibious craft (LPD – Landing Platform Dock).
The launch event, conducted privately and in strict adherence to current health protocols, was preceded by two prior occasions streamed live from La Spezia and Riva Trigoso: the inauguration of the Halul 1 Training Center, which will facilitate on-the-job training for the crews of all vessels within the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, along with the inaugural steel cutting for the LPD.
Attending the gathering were several distinguished guests, including Major General (Pilot) Hamad bin Mubarak Al-Dawai Al-Nabit, Commander of the Emiri Air Defense Forces, Brig. Jaleel Khalid Al Ruwaili, Director of Education and Training for Qatar, Vice Admiral Enrico Credendino, Commander of the Italian Navy Schools, who represented the Chief of the Italian Navy, and Giuseppe Giordo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Naval Vessel Division.
Similar to its sister vessel “Musherib,” which was launched in September 2020, the OPV “Sheraouh” has been meticulously crafted in accordance with the RINAMIL standards for Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV). This versatile vessel is designed to undertake a myriad of operations, ranging from surveillance to combat missions. It measures approximately 63 meters in length, 9.2 meters in breadth, boasting a maximum velocity of 30 knots and accommodating as many as 38 crew members.
