ADSB corvette design

Abu Dhabi Ship Building, a subsidiary of the Emirati conglomerate EDGE Group, unveiled a new corvette design at LIMA 2023. (Courtesy ADSB)

BEIRUT — Emirati firm Abu Dhabi Ship Building today unveiled the design of its 92-meter corvette, making it the longest vessel designed in the United Arab Emirates.

The design is for a low-profile, multi-role and fast vanguard vessel, according to an announcement made by the firm at Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023).

“Presenting the 92-[meter] corvette in time for LIMA 2023 marks a significant achievement for us as we reaffirm our commitment to the Southeast Asian markets and expand our product portfolio to meet the challenges and requirements of navies and coastguards around the world,” said David Massey, ADSB CEO in a statement. ADSB is a subsidiary of EDGE Group, a sprawling Emirati defense conglomerate.

Massey added that his firm is demonstrating “remarkable progress in designing jointly with its strategic partners, building, and exporting world-class vessels.”

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It’s perhaps no coincidence that the design was unveiled at LIMA. ADSB has shown increased interest in the South Asian and Indo Pacific market not just during the conference, but also earlier at Indo Defence Expo & Forum 2022 in Jakarta. There the Emirati company unveiled a 51-meter offshore patrol vessel.

ADSB’s push for homegrown naval capabilities fits in with the UAE’s local weapons industry’s push, and by extension the government, to become more self-sufficient, rather than relying on foreign systems, according to Kristian Alexander, a senior fellow and the head of the strategic Studies Department at TRENDS Research & Advisory, an independent think tank in the UAE.

“Building its own military vessels enables the UAE to have greater control over its naval forces and protect its maritime interests effectively. Abu Dhabi Ship Building plays a significant role in this endeavor by providing the necessary shipbuilding and maintenance capabilities,” Alexander said.

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According to the firm’s announcement, the new vessel is designed, constructed and equipped to perform a wide range of coastal missions. It will be equipped with a helicopter deck and hangar, as well as capability to carry unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations and two rigid hull inflatable boats. The new vessel’s propulsion will be by what’s known as “combined diesel and diesel (CODAD)” engines with a maximum speed of 28 knots.