The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy has awarded a contract to Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of a 1,650t corvette at Fincantieri’s Riva Trigoso yard.

The new corvette will be equipped with Thales‘s Captas Nano lightweight low-frequency active sonar and two launchers for the C310 torpedo countermeasures system.

In addition, the warship will be equipped with a quad launcher for four MM440 Exocet anti-ship missiles, a Super Rapid 76mm naval gun and two 30mm guns.

The Corvette will be primarily deployed for patrol and surveillance missions using an embarked helicopter and will also be equipped with anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The ship will be powered by two 7,000kW-rated diesel engines, which can carry a crew of 70 at a top speed of 25kt over a range of 3,000nm.

The UAE Navy has has an option for a second corvette based on the 270ft Commandante Cigala Fulgosi Class ships currently serving the Italian Navy.