BAE Systems has delivered the last of the three Khareef-class corvettes, Al Rasikh, to the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, UK.
The latest delivery forms part of RNO’s £400m contract for three Khareef-class corvettes, which was awarded in 2007.
It also includes training of RNO crew and initial logistics support for the vessels.
The Al Rasikh crew will undergo training with the Royal Navy before the vessel embarks on a 3,000-mile voyage to join her sister vessels Al Shamikh and Al Rahmani in Oman.
Capable of accommodating a 100-member crew, the 99m-long corvette can cruise at a maximum speed of 25k, while offering a navigational range of 3,500 miles.
Designed to offer anti-air and anti-surface capabilities, the Al Rasikh corvette will be deployed against surface and air threats, while safeguarding international waters and Oman’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
A new hull design and electric propulsion provide enhanced manoeuvrability to the Khareef-class corvettes, making them deployable on a range of missions, including coastal patrols, disaster relief, search and rescue, and deterrence operations.
The other two Khareef-class corvettes are scheduled to undergo their final hot weather sea acceptance trials in Oman, in a bid to evaluate their performance in temperatures beyond 45°C.
Image: The Royal Navy of Oman’s third Khareef-class corvette Al Rasikh. Photo: courtesy of BAE Systems.
