Qatar Emiri Navy received its Doha-class air defence corvette “Al Zubarah” and offshore patrol vessel (OPV) “Musherib” on September 12, 2022, with the ceremony that Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, attended. The Fincantieri-built vessels will soon enter service for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The new Al Zubarah-class corvettes have a CODAD-configured propulsion system based on four diesel engines connected through reduction gears to two shaft lines with variable pitch propellers and conventional rudders. The CODAD provides a maximum continuous and cruising speed of 28 and 15 knots, respectively.
The new platform presents a combat system with a full range of weapons for anti-air warfare (AAW, with Aster 30 Block 1 and RAM missiles) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) operations. In contrast, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities are limited to self-defence. However, the ship can accommodate and operate an NH90 NFH maritime helicopter equipped with an ASW suite, including lightweight torpedoes.
