The first of the UAE Navy's future Falaj 3 OPVs, seen at launch, announced by ADSB on 14 January 2025. (Edge Group)
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), part of Edge Group, announced the launch of the first Falaj 3 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) on 14 January.
The launch at the ADSB shipyard in Abu Dhabi marked the arrival of the first of four Falaj 3 OPVs for the United Arab Emirates Navy (UAE Navy), following a May 2021 contract worth AED3.5 billion (USD953 million).
ADSB has previously said that potential customers for the OPVs include the Gulf Cooperation Council, Malaysia, and Indonesia, as well as countries in West, East, and North Africa. The company added that a number of these countries have similar requirements for vessels that can fill a range of mission sets, including counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, fisheries protection, critical offshore infrastructure security, and the protection of territorial waters.
Based on ST Marine's proven Fearless-class design, the Falaj 3 OPVs will have a full load displacement of around 641 tonnes, an overall length of 60 m, a beam of 9.5 m, and a draught of 3.4 m. Powered by four MAN 175D diesels driving four propellers, they will have a top speed of 26 kt with a range of 2,000 n miles at 16 kt, and a crew complement of 39. Meanwhile, ST Marine was subcontracted to provide design, platform equipment, and technical assistance.
In November 2023 ADSB told Janes
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