The production work has now begun on the last of six Baynunah corvettes being built for the UAE Navy by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) in the region’s largest-ever naval construction programme.

The commander of UAE Naval Forces, Rear Admiral Ahmed Al Sabab Al Tenaiji activated a computerised plasma cutting machine at ADSB’s Musaffah complex to begin cutting the steel for the sixth and final 72m vessel.

Al Tenaiji also performed the ceremonial keel laying of the fifth vessel.

The Baynunah Class vessels are highly sophisticated multi-mission corvettes equipped with cutting-edge combat systems and have the capability to perform a wide range of military operations, including defence against both air and surface threats.

The vessel has been designed by the French company Constructions Mecaniques De Normandie (CMN), said a ADSB offical.

The first of class vessel is now being outfitted at CMN’s Cherbourg Yard under sub-contract from ADSB and the remaining five are under construction at ADSB.

ADSB chief executive William Saltzer said the Baynunah programme was an international project involving many equipment suppliers.

"It is both an ambitious and challenging programme that has stretched and grown the capabilities of all of the parties involved."

"Now all six vessels are under construction at the same time and the vast amount of concurrent work requires the continuous close co-operation of the shipyards in Abu Dhabi and Cherbourg, the equipment suppliers, and the UAE Navy Program Management Teams both here and in France," he opined.

“It is the first time a naval ship building project of this magnitude has been undertaken in this region and the teamwork, which is critical to the success of the program, among all the companies involved and the UAE Navy, is greatly appreciated,” Saltzer added.

ADSB is the only specialist naval shipbuilder in the Gulf region and constructs vessels in steel, aluminium and composite materials.

Other recent newbuilding contracts  have included 64m and 42m Steel Naval Landing Craft, 34m Composite Patrol Craft, 16m “Seakeeper” Composite Fast Landing Craft  and Aluminum Fast Troop Transport Boats and Fast Supply Vessels.-TradeArabia News Service