IDEX 2009 : Mortars, guns and missiles to arm UAE patrol boats

The United Arab Emirates navy has released more details on the weapons fit of 24 fast patrol boats being supplied by Abu Dhabi Ship Building under a AED 935 million ($255million) ordered announced earlier this week Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding along with partner SwedeShip Marine are to build 12 new 26.5m fast patrol boats and upgrade 12 existing Ghannatha-class high-speed troop-carrying craft into the same configuration.

The 24 vessels will be produced in three weapon configurations officials revealed here today at the IDEX defense show. The main armament of half the 24 boats will be the MBDA-supplied Marte anti-ship missile. Four missiles will be carried in two launchers on the rear of the Ghannatha class vessels. The UAE is the first customer for the ship-launched version of what is normally a helicopter weapon.

Six of the boats are to be fitted with the Patria developed NEMO 120mm mortar system.
The remainder will be equipped as gunships equipped with a 27mm cannon supplied by Rheinmetall. The gunships will also retain a troop transport capability. Weapons integration is to be undertaken by Abu Dhabi Systems Integration the ADSB / Selex Sistemi Integrati joint venture.

Officials said the first boat would be ready within 18 months of contract award. In a separate move earlier this week ADSB secured a AED416 deal to build 34 high speed interceptor vessels for the UAE’s Critical National Infrastructure Authority. Capable of 50knots the MRTP16 design come’s from Turkish Shipbuilder Yonca Onuk. The first 12 of the lightly armed vessels will be built in the Turkish company’s yard in Istanbul.

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