Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the Gulf region, has announced the launch of  "Al Dhafra," the third vessel of the Baynunah Corvette Class Program for the UAE Navy.

The Baynunah Corvette Class Program consists of six state-of-the-art warships for the UAE Navy which are fitted with latest technology combat systems and capable of defence against both air and surface threats.

A strategic affiliate of Mubadala, ADSB said it has now completed over 70 per cent of the ship, which is a significant milestone by naval shipbuilding standards for vessels at the launch stage.

The Baynunah Corvette Warships are being built to stringent specifications and the highest quality standards in the naval shipbuilding industry.

Each of the 71-metre highly-advanced corvettes can be deployed for various missions, including coastal patrol and surveillance, mine detection and avoidance, helicopter operations, and peacetime patrols, said a top official.

Homaid Al Shemmari, chairman of ADSB, said: "The Baynunah Corvette Class Program represents the great advances that we have achieved in terms of shipbuilding capabilities and maritime technology."

"ADSB believes that it is crucially important to maintain such world-class shipbuilding expertise within the region to take full advantage of the highly strategic location of the GCC. We are therefore confident that this project will help open more opportunities for us and the UAE Navy to collaborate on other important projects in the future," he added.

Mohamed Salem Al Junaibi, chief executive officer of ADSB said: “Today’s launch is a testament to our partnership strategy – where ADSB has worked closely in conjunction with the UAE Navy, CMN and major equipment suppliers from all around the world."

"We are pleased to be working in such a strong partnership that works together to ensure a successful program," he stated.

Each Baynunah Corvette Warship will be equipped with a range of highly advanced features including a stealth-looking superstructure, helicopter landing deck and hangar, eight Exocet anti-ship missiles, four vertical launchers for short-range air-defence missiles, hull-mounted mine and obstacle avoidance sonar, 3D Surveillance, navigation and fire control radars  and a multi-vendor electronic warfare suite.
 
All corvette vessels are expected to be delivered to the UAE Navy by 2014, said Al Shemmari.

The Baynunah Program is being undertaken at the world class Abu Dhabi Ship Building facility in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi.

The first of the Baynunah vessels was built at CMN's Cherbourg yard under a subcontract agreement with Abu Dhabi Ship Building. The second Baynunah vessel, named 'Al Hesen', was launched recently and is now undergoing test and trials through 2011.-TradeArabia News Service