Light Corvettes Procurement [UAE]
Last reviewed: 10th February 2025
Snapshot
The UAE Navy urges to replace two Muray Jib-class corvettes commissioned in the early 1990s. Abu Dhabi signed a contract with Naval Group for two Gowind corvettes, with an option for two more ships, in 2017. To date, the option has yet to be exercised.
In April 2024, the General Manager of Fincantieri's Naval Vessels Division revealed that the UAE issued a Request for Information (RfI) for an undisclosed number of light corvettes. Shephard estimates up to two vessels could be procured under a programme worth an estimated $600 million.
Summary
- Programme value:
- $596.6 million (Estimated)
- Units required:
- 2 (Estimated)
- Award year:
- 2026
- Status:
- Forecast
- Type:
- Procurement - new
- Systems:
-
FCX20 - Potential
- Unit cost:
- $202.5 million (Estimated)
- PGO:
- 50% ?
Summary
- Programme value:
- $596.6 million (Estimated)
- Units required:
- 2 (Estimated)
- Award year:
- 2026
- Status:
- Forecast
- Type:
- Procurement - new
- Systems:
-
FCX20 - Potential
- Unit cost:
- $202.5 million (Estimated)
- PGO:
- 50% ?
Bids and suppliers
Fincantieri - FCX20 - ITALY
Potential
Additional Information
Programme Background
Requirements
The current first line of vessels of the UAE Navy includes two Bani Yas-class (Gowind) corvettes, six Baynunah-class corvettes, one Abu Dhabi-class corvette and two ageing Muray Jib-class ships. The most urgent requirement is replacing the two Muray Jib-class corvettes commissioned in the early 1990s.
Abu Dhabi signed a contract with Naval Group for two Gowind corvettes, with an option for two more ships, in 2017. To date, the option has yet to be exercised.
Timeline
In April 2024, speaking to RID, Dario Deste, General Manager of Fincantieri's Naval Vessels Division, revealed that the UAE issued a Request for Information (RfI) for an undisclosed number of light corvettes.
Contenders & Bidders
Fincantieri
Shephard believes Fincantieri will offer a solution based on the FCX family of vessels, most likely the FCX20. Furthermore, in February 2024, Edge Group and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri signed a naval joint venture (JV) agreement. The UAE company, which owns Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), will hold a 51% stake in the JV with management direction provided by Fincantieri.
The Abu Dhabi-based JV will mostly focus on non-NATO orders and will have a role to play in enhancing Edge’s ability to design and build frigates and other large vessels.
In May 2024, following the launch of the abovementioned JV, the UAE Coast Guard awarded a $434 million contract to MAESTRAL for the construction of ten P51MR 51m OPVs (see separate entry).
Contracts Award
Shephard estimates a contract will be awarded by 2026.
Forecast Methodology
Quantity
In light of the need to replace the two Muray Jib vessels and the unexercised option for the additional Gowind corvettes, Shephard estimates the requirement might entail the procurement of two platforms.
Programme Value & Unit Cost
In 2023, the Italian Navy awarded a contract to Fincantieri for the procurement of three corvettes based on the FCX20 design. The ships alone had a unit cost of $197.6 million ($202.5 million in 2024), while, including the subsystems, the vessels had an estimated cost of $291 million ($298.3 million in 2024).
Based on the above-mentioned values, Shephard estimates the programme encompassing the procurement of two light corvettes could be worth around $600 million.
Programme Years
Programme Years have been calculated by spreading the unit cost value across the estimated construction period of each vessel.
Construction & Delivery Timeline
Shephard estimates a light corvette design has an estimated one-year construction period, with a further year between launch and commissioning. Shall construction start in 2027, the lead ship could enter service in the late 2020s.
Please note that this is a highly speculative timeline and may not represent the likelihood of the programme advancing at that speed.
Related Programmes
Gowind 2500 Procurement (3-4) [UAE]
Uae • Navy
The UAE ordered two Gowind 2500 corvettes in 2017, but the $850 contract, signed in 2019, also included an option for two additional vessels. The …
Naval: shipboard communication systems | Light Corvettes Procurement [UAE]
Uae • Navy
This subsystem requirement is for the Naval: shipboard communication systems part of the Light Corvettes Procurement [UAE]. View platform programme here
Naval: Combat Management Systems | Light Corvettes Procurement [UAE]
Uae • Navy
This subsystem requirement is for the Naval: Combat Management Systems part of the Light Corvettes Procurement [UAE]. View platform programme here
Naval: Combat Management Systems | Gowind 2500 Procurement (3-4) [UAE]
Uae • Navy
This subsystem requirement is for the Naval: Combat Management Systems part of the Gowind 2500 Procurement (3-4) [UAE]. View platform programme here
Naval: shipboard communication systems | Gowind 2500 Procurement (3-4) [UAE]
Uae • Navy
This subsystem requirement is for the Naval: shipboard communication systems part of the Gowind 2500 Procurement (3-4) [UAE]. View platform programme here
