Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has signed an AED9 billion (US$2.45 billion) defence contract with the Kuwait Ministry of Defence for the supply of 62-metre missile boats, reportedly the largest naval shipbuilding export in the region.
The contract includes the design, construction, trials, and delivery of the vessels, in addition to integrated logistics support and in-service support. ADSB parent the Edge Group will provide the ammunition for the vessels.
This class of missile boat has also been selected by the UAE Navy, with the first vessel, Altaf, formally commissioned into service in February 2025.
"This operational deployment reflects the vessel’s proven capability and performance in regional waters," said Edge. "With the latest agreement, these advanced 62-metre vessels are tailored to meet Kuwait’s operational requirements, offering high performance, advanced combat systems, and enhanced capabilities for littoral defence operations."
“This agreement with Kuwait is hugely significant both in scale and strategic importance," added Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO, Edge.
"It also reflects the pace of industrial and engineering progress we’ve achieved in just a few years, and our ability to design, build, and deliver complex naval platforms at scale.”