Maritime Security Vessel News Roundup | June 2 – Middle East and Philippine surface combatants plus construction approval for future Italian submarine
MEPS WEEK
The Philippine Navy welcomes new missile-capable boats into service as a new frigate is handed over to the Egyptian Navy. An Italian shipyard gets the green light for the construction of a new diesel-electric submarine. Finally, a UAE firm launches a new corvette class for coastal missions.
Philippine Navy commissions two newest fast attack boats
The Philippine Navy recently commissioned its two newest fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC).
Like their earlier sisters BRP Nestor Acero and BRP Lolinato To-ong, BRP Gener Tinangag and BRP Domingo Deluana were named after two Philippine Marine Corps personnel who were posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor, the Philippine armed forces’ highest combat decoration.
The newer FAICs are the third and fourth in the series, which are variants of the Shaldag Mark V class patrol boats built by Israel Shipyards. The navy will take delivery of a total of nine FAICs, which also includes four to be built locally in the Philippines.
Each vessel’s armament includes a 30mm autocannon, two 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm general purpose machine guns, and Rafael Spike NLOS anti-ship missiles.
Two diesel engines will propel each FAIC to a maximum speed of 43 knots while a range of 1,600 nautical miles can be achieved at a cruising speed of 15 knots.
Egyptian Navy takes delivery of second Al-Aziz-class frigate
German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has delivered the second ship of a new class of four frigates ordered by the Egyptian Navy.
ENS Al-Qahhar (“The Irresistible Subduer”) belongs to the Al-Aziz-class, which are variants of the MEKO A-200 frigates originally developed by German defence firms for the export market. Missions will include anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, patrol, interdiction, and humanitarian response.
The ship has a length of 118 metres, a beam of 14.8 metres, a draught of 4.3 metres, and a crew complement of 220. Armament includes a 127mm naval gun, 30mm autocannons, 16 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and 32 MICA surface-to-air missiles.
Power is provided by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion arrangement that consists of a GE LM2500 gas turbine and two MTU 12V1163 TB83 diesel engines driving two controllable-pitch propellers. This configuration will deliver a maximum speed of 32 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots.
Construction of Italian Navy’s third U212NFS submarine gets parliamentary approval
Fincantieri has confirmed that the Italian parliament has given its approval for the construction of a third U212NFS diesel-electric submarine for the Italian Navy.
Two submarines will initially be built under the class. The navy may still exercise an option for a fourth boat.
Deliveries of the first two U212NFS submarines are scheduled for 2027 and 2029. These will replace the four ageing Nazario Sauro-class boats that entered service from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.
The U212NFS boats will be used for missions including anti-piracy, security of energy supply routes, anti-terrorism, and protection of offshore and subsea infrastructure.
UAE builder unveils new 92-metre corvette design
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has unveiled a new class of naval corvette designed for operation in coastal waters.
The 92-metre vessel will have space for a helicopter deck and hangar, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), electronic warfare systems, and a broad range of countermeasures. Stealth features and ballistic protection will also be incorporated in the standard design.
The propulsion system will consist of diesel engines in a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement that will deliver a top speed of 28 knots and a range of more than 4,500 nautical miles.
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