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Abu Dhabi Ship Building’s 510 OPV at sea. (ADSB)

BEIRUT — Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) made a splash at Indo Defence Expo & Forum 2022 in Jakarta by unveiling the largest boat it has produced, a 51-meter offshore patrol vessel, along with a separate agreement drawing the company closer to the Indonesian military.

The ship, called the 510 OPV, is built in the shipyards in the United Arab Emirates by ADSB, a naval subsidiary of the mammoth EDGE Group, in cooperation with the Turkish firm ARES. The gray, angular vessel has a large modular deck configurable for smaller vessel or equipment transport, or the deployment of various combat systems. With a 65,000-liter fuel capacity, it is designed to deliver long range and extended endurance, for search and rescue, fast-attack missions, and other offshore activities, according to the firm.

“The OPV is built with a proven hull that is already in operation in the Gulf. Similarly, all the tests have been successfully carried out and certified by the concerned [original equipment manufacturer]authorities and classification societies,” Francesco Lo Monaco, director of ADSB’s shipbuilding and engineering, told Breaking Defense after the ship’s unveiling last week.

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Lo Monaco said ADSB is the prime contractor for the vessel and provides the modularity of the deck arrangement, design of the superstructure, mission profile, and the design and integration of the combat system, whereas the Turkish partner ARES will play a “key role,” beginning with providing the “innovative and proven hull.”

He explained that both ADSB and ARES are focusing on offering a cost-effective solution that will provide the best value to local and international clients.

The modular aft-deck can accommodate two fast interceptors or a combination of 11-meter unmanned surface vessels with dedicated cranes for launching and recovering while cruising, and an aft slipway for quick launch and recovery of a rigid hull inflatable boat. A main deck crane can be installed to support offshore operations, and the aft area can also be covered to accommodate a pad for unmanned aerial vehicle. The vessel can be equipped with a 30mm main gun, a missiles launcher and manual or remote machine guns.

That the EDGE subsidiary would unveil the vessel during the Indonesian show, when the UAE is set to host a pair of defense conferences in four months, was a testament to how the company sees potential in Indo-Pacific customers, Lo Monaco said.

“Unveiling our product here highlights the importance of this market. In line with the UAE leadership’s mandate, we are placing a huge focus on expanding global exports of ‘Made in the UAE’ products,” he said.

Another Deal Sealed

Also in Jakarta last week, ADSB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT PAL Indonesia, Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder, “to strengthen cooperation and to leverage the capabilities of both partners to build a range of interceptors, landing craft, and rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) for Indonesia’s naval and coast guard requirements,” according to a statement issued by the firm.

The deal was signed by Maktoom Al Shehhi, director of maintenance repair and overhaul at ADSB, and Dr. Kaharuddin Djenod, CEO of PT PAL Indonesia. But beyond that, specifics were scarce, including how expansive the arrangement is and what ships, exactly, might be involved.

“The size of the deal cannot be quantified into figures,” Lo Monaco said. “This deal is a strategic vision which aims to enforce shipbuilding cooperation between ADSB and PT PAL. Our main aim is to work together to develop joint designs, which will add value to both of our clients.”

He assured that the firm have not signed specific contracts with PT PAL, but a more general intention to allow the UAE company to provide the Indonesian navy and coast guard vessels to suit their needs. Regarding whether the boats that might be involved in future deals were tested in Indonesia, he said, “What I can tell you is that the platforms are proven and are currently in operation in the Gulf region.”