ADSB works on last Baynunah

Production work has begun on the last of six Baynunah corvettes being built for the UAE Navy by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) in the region's largest-ever naval construction programme.

The Commander of UAE Naval Forces, Rear Admiral Ahmed Al Sabab Al Tunaiji, activated a computerised plasma cutting machine at ADSB's Musaffah complex to begin cutting the steel for the sixth and final 72m vessel.

The Baynunah Class vessels are highly sophisticated multi-mission corvettes equipped with cutting-edge combat systems and have the capability to perform a wide range of military operations, including defence against both air and surface threats.

The vessel has been designed by the French company Constructions Mecaniques De Normandie (CMN).

The first of class vessel is now being outfitted at CMN's Cherbourg Yard under sub-contract from ADSB and the remaining five are under construction at ADSB.

Admiral Al Tenaiji also performed the ceremonial keel laying of the fifth vessel. "The Baynunah programme is an international project involving many equipment suppliers. It is both an ambitious and challenging programme that has stretched and grown the capabilities of all of the parties involved," said CEO William Saltzer.

"Now all six vessels are under construction at the same time and the vast amount of concurrent work requires the continuous close co-operation of the shipyards in Abu Dhabi and Cherbourg, the equipment suppliers, and the UAE Navy Programme Management Teams here and in France."

He said it was the first time a naval ship building project of this magnitude was being undertaken in this region, adding "the teamwork, which is critical to the success of the program, among all the companies involved and the UAE Navy, is greatly appreciated".

ADSB is the only specialist naval shipbuilder in the Gulf and constructs vessels in steel, aluminium and composite materials.

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