Construction begins on new fast attack boats for Qatari Emiri Navy

Dearsan Shipyard of Turkey has begun construction of a new class of two fast attack craft ordered by the Qatari Emiri Navy.

The vessels will each have a length of 50 metres and will be equipped for surface warfare, air defence, and asymmetric warfare. Armament on each craft will include a 40mm naval gun, 12.7mm machine guns, surface-to-surface missiles, and surface-to-air missiles.

The vessels will also feature a low-observable hull and superstructure design and stern launch and recovery ramps for use by rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), which will augment the larger vessels' at-sea interception and boarding capability. Electronic warfare systems will also be fitted.

Three diesel engines will drive waterjets to deliver a maximum speed of over 36 knots and a range of 1,000 nautical miles.

The fast attack craft's missions will include patrol, protection of territorial waters, anti-piracy enforcement, reconnaissance and surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime border control, and security of bases and ports.

The vessels' areas of operation will include Qatari territorial waters and the Arabian Sea.