The ceremony, held in a restricted format and in full compliance with anti-contagion requirements, was attended by Major General Mubarak Mohammed A.K. Al-Khayarin, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration and Logistics Affairs for Qatar Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Giorgio Lazio, Italian Navy Maritime Commander – Area North, and Giuseppe Giordo, General Manager of the Naval Vessel Division of Fincantieri.
The units, designed consistent with the RINAMIL rules, will be capable of fulfilling different kinds of tasks, from surveillance with sea rescue capacities to being fighting vessels. They will be about 107 meters long, 14.70 meters wide, and equipped with a combined diesel and diesel plant (CODAD), with a maximum speed of 28 knots. The units will be able to accommodate 112 persons on board.
The corvettes will be capable of operating high-speed boats such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern. The flight deck and hangar are sized for hosting one NH90 helicopter.
The corvette is being built under a larger, EUR 4 billion contract which will see the Italian shipbuilder deliver a total of seven surface vessels — four corvettes, one amphibious vessel (landing platform dock) and two offshore patrol vessels.
The corvettes will be fitted with a 76mm main gun by Leonardo, 16x VLS cells for ASTER 30 surface to air missiles (by MBDA), two Marlins 30mm remote weapon stations (Leonardo), 8x Exocet MM40 Block III (MBDA) and RAM launcher (21 missiles) by Raytheon for short range air defence.
The contract also includes support services in Qatar for 15 years after the delivery of the vessels.
