Qatari landing ship launched in Turkey

The Qatari landing ship Al-Abrar Fuwairat before it was launched at Anadolu Shipyard in Istanbul. (Qatari Ministry of Defence)

Turkey's Anadolu shipyard launched a landing ship that it is building for the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) on 25 September.

The Qatari Ministry of Defence (MoD) identified the vessel Al-Abrar Fuwairat , saying it is an LCT80-type landing ship, and added that the launch ceremony was attended by QENF commander Major General Abdullah bin Hassan al-Sulaiti and his Turkish counterpart.

The two commanders also inspected Al-Doha , the first of two training ships Anadolu Shipyard has built for the QENF.

The shipyard has already built eight LCT80s for the Turkish Naval Forces, but this is the first export order for the type.

Turkey's Maritime Magazine reported that the landing ship is the largest of four vessels that were ordered for the QENF from Anadolu Shipyard in 2020, the others being two LCM40s and one LCVP.

It said Al-Abrar Fuwairat has a crew of 25, an endurance of seven days, and is armed with two 30 mm and two 12.7 mm stabilised guns. It can carry 260 fully equipped soldiers or three tanks.

The magazine reported in April that work had begun on the first Qatari LCM40, which it said will displace 70 tonnes and be able to carry 120 soldiers or a tank.