Italy: Fincantieri's shipyard at Muggiano has launched 'Ganthoot', the first of two stealth patrol vessels included in the "Falaj 2" program in progress for the United Arab Emirates Navy.
Ordered in 2010, the ship, whose name comes from a geographical area in the Emirates in the neighbourhood of Abu Dhabi, will be delivered in the second half of 2012. Capable surpassing 20 knots, the "Falaj 2" patrol vessels are 55 metres long with a beam of 8.60 metres and can accommodate a crew of 28. The ships are designed with a particular geometry that makes them difficult to detect on radar.
The ships boast a high level of flexibility, which enables them to carry out a range of different mission types – from patrol and surveillance to defence from air and surface attacks – both in national and international waters.
The contract provides the UAE Navy with an option for another two sister vessels as well as technology transfer to a local shipyard for the construction of additional sister vessels.
