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Fincantieri has held the steel cutting ceremony of the first Doha-class corvette ordered by the Qatari Ministry of Defence.
The contract, worth €4 billion (US$5 billion), encompasses the construction of seven surface vessels, including four corvettes, one landing platform dock and two offshore patrol vessels as well as support services in Qatar for a further 10 years after the delivery of the vessels.
All the units will be entirely built in Fincantieri Italian shipyards starting from this year.
The corvette will be about 107 metres long and 14.7 metres wide, with a maximum speed of 28 knots. It will be able to accommodate 112 passengers, 98 of whom would be crew.
Furthermore, the vessel will be capable of operating high-speed boats, such as RHIBs, through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern. The flight deck and hangar are sized for hosting one NH90 helicopter.
