The launching of the corvette “Semaisma”, Qatar’s fourth and final Doha multi-role corvette (F-104 Sumaysimah), ordered to Fincantieri by the Qatari Ministry of Defence, took place today at the Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard.

The acquisition of the vessel in question is part of the national program for the acquisition of naval units, as announced by the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri.

The first ship (F-101 “Al Zubarah”) was launched in February 2020 and entered service in October 2021. The second ship (F-102 “Damsah”) was launched in February 2021, while the third one (F-103 “Al Khor”) was launched in September 2021.

The technical characteristics of this class of corvettes include the following:

• Length: 107 meters
• Beam: 14.7 meters 
• Depth: 4.20 meters
• Full load weight: 3,250 tons
• Maximum speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)
• Operational range: 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 km) 
• Cruising speed: 15 knots (28 km/h) or 21 days of continuous presence at sea 
• Propulsion system: CODAD type (Combined Diesel And Gas turbine)
• Crew: 112 people 
• Helicopter support: Helicopter type NH-90

The armament chosen by Qatar consists of:

• Navy 76mm OTO Melara gun
• 16 Aster-30 long-range anti-aircraft / anti-ballistic missiles
• CIWS: RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile
• 8 Exocet MM-40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles
• 2 30mm Marlins remote weapons
• 4 Sylena Mk2 decoy launchers

The main ship sensors are the “Kronos” naval radar, the “Thesan” mine avoidance sonar, and the “Athena” Combat Management System.

Finally, it should be noted that the ships of this type are the basis for the deployment of the joint European European Patrol Corvette (EPC) program, in which Greece also participates, while at the same time they are a proposal submitted by the Italian company for the national acquisition program of corvettes of the Hellenic Navy.

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