UAE's made Baynunah Class Corvettes

The UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) have finalized a contract amendment adding the Rolling Airframe Missile (Ram) Weapons Systems on all six Baynunah Class Corvettes already contracted to ADSB.

The RAM MK49 MOD3 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) is a state-of-the-art high firepower close in weapons system (CIWS) for anti-ship missile defense supplied by Raytheon Company.

This latest addition to the Baynunah Corvette Program represents a very significant change to the overall value of the contract and provides a major enhancement of the vessels capability.

The original contract for the Baynunah Corvette Program was signed between ADSB and the UAE Government at the end of year 2003 based on four ships with the option for two more. This option was exercised on 9th July 2005 bringing the total number of ships ordered on the contract to ADSB for this program to six.

The vessel is designed by French Company Constructions Mecaniques De Normandie (CMN). The first of class vessel is being built at CMN's Cherbourg Yard under sub-contract from ADSB and the remaining five will be built at ADSB's yard in Abu Dhabi.

The keel for the second vessel was laid in July 2006 and the vessel is currently under construction in the ADSB shipyard in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

ADSB's Chief Executive Officer, Bill Saltzer commented, "The addition of the RAM system adds even more capability to these highly advanced, 70m Naval Corvettes and ADSB is pleased to have finalized this complex configuration change through close cooperation with the UAE Navy and GHQ.

"A change of this magnitude, especially on a program where the design is well along and the ships are already under construction is certainly challenging, but the Rolling Airframe Missile is one of the most effective self-defense systems available today and we are excited about any enhancements that will make 'BAYNUNAH' the most well equipped vessel in its size range anywhere in the world."

The Baynunah Class vessels are highly sophisticated Multi-Mission Naval Corvettes. They have a cutting edge combat system with the capability to perform a wide range of military operations, including defense against both air and surface threats. The vessel's design also allows for additional equipment to support future underwater operations.

The ship will utilize the latest in electronic sensor technology, along with a combination of newly developed missiles and guns, to provide a degree of defensive firepower that is unprecedented for vessels of this size. This capability will be further enhanced by the latest in communications technology that facilitates both voice and data communications with the naval fleet, land based forces and supporting military aircraft.

ADSB is the only shipbuilder in the Gulf region with the capability to construct and repair complex naval warships. The company has already completed a number of highly complicated new building, refit and upgrading projects for the UAE Navy and Coast Guard, and has been increasingly successful in offering its capabilities to other navies throughout the GCC and Gulf region. Recently ADSB successfully delivered a 64m Naval Landing Craft to the Royal Navy of Oman.

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