According to a Tweet released by Qatar Defense on June 5, 2021, the second OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) QENS Sheraouh Q62 for the Qatar Navy was launched on June 5, 2021, at the Fincantieri Muggiano (La Spezia) Shipyard facilities.
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Fincantieri has launched the second OPV Offshore Patrol Vessel for Qatari Navy on June 5, 2021. (Picture source Fincantieri Twitter)
In June 2016, Italian shipyard Fincantieri won a €4bn contract with the Qatari Ministry of Defence for the supply of seven surface vessels, including four corvettes, one amphibious vessel (LPD - Landing Platform Dock), and two patrol vessels (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel) as well as support services in Qatar for further 10 years after the delivery of the vessels.
All the ships are entirely built in the Group’s Italian shipyards, ensuring continuity to the activities until 2024 as well as guaranteeing an important impact on the main Italian defense companies.
The design of the OPV was unveiled in 2018 by Fincantieri during DIMDEX, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference.
The first OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) “Musherib” ordered to Fincantieri by the Qatari Ministry of Defence within the national naval acquisition program was launched in September 2020. The ship will be delivered in 2022.
According to information published by Fincantieri, the OPV ship for the Qatari Navy has a length of 63 m and a wide of 9.2 m. The ship is powered by 4x diesel engines, 4 shafts and 4 fixed pitched propellers and will be able to reach a maximum speed of 30 knots (56 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 1,500 nautical miles (2,778 km) and an endurance of 7 days. The crew complement will be 38 sailors.
