Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company, has begun construction of the first of two Falaj 2 stealth vessels, for the United Arab Emirates Navy.

The 55m-long Falaj 2, with a beam of 8.6m, can cruise at a speed of 20kt and can accomodate a crew of 28.

The vessel’s stealth structure makes it difficult to track and highly flexible, capable of carrying out a range of mission including patrol and control operations, and self-defence from air and surface threats.

The UAE Navy signed a contract with Fincantieri in January for the two ships, which included an option for two sister ships with transfer of technology.

Construction work will be carried out at the Muggiano shipyard (La Spezia) with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2012.

Naval Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Naval Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Virtualitics has secured the Innovation and Business Expansion awards for its Integrated Readiness Optimization (IRO) suite. Discover how its explainable AI is transforming maintenance, sustainment and mission readiness, giving defence leaders faster, clearer, and more confident operational decisions.

Discover the Impact