Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri, completing one of the Qatar Navy's important maritime programs, Al Fulk Landing Platform (LPD) Delivered to the Qatar Ministry of Defense. Built in Italy's Muggiano shipyard, this modern amphibious ship stands out as a strategic step aimed at increasing Qatar's maritime capacity.
Delivery Ceremony and Participants
Al Fulk surrender ceremony, was held as a symbolic event to strengthen the defense cooperation between Qatar and Italy. Among the important names that attended the ceremony were:
- Major General Abdulla Bin Hassan Al Sulaiti (Commander of the Qatari Emirate Naval Forces)
- Vice Admiral Andrea Gueglio (Director of the Military Personnel Directorate of the Italian Navy)
- Pier Roberto Folgiero (CEO of Fincantieri)
- Dario Deste (President of Fincantieri Marine Group and General Manager of the Marine Vehicles Division)
At the ceremony, Fincantieri's commitment to contribute to maritime safety by producing innovative and high-tech marine platforms emphasized.
Qatar Navy's Maritime Program
LPD Al Fulk, is the latest in a major naval programme for the Qatar Navy. The ships previously delivered by Fincantieri under this programme are:
- 4 Al Zubarah class corvettes
- 2 Musherib class offshore patrol vessels (OPV)
With these deliveries, Qatar, a naval force with modern combat systems and versatile operational capacity has been attained.
Technical Specifications and Operational Capability of LPD Al Fulk
General Features
- Length: 143 meters
- Width: 21,5 meters
- Helicopter Capacity: Capacity to handle 3 NH90 helicopters
- Crew: 150 people
- Soldier Capacity: 440 people
Al Fulk, air, sea and land operations designed to adapt to the ship. The ship's notable features are:
- Two Helipads: There is a continuous flight deck at both the bow and stern.
- Hangar Area: Offers a dedicated area for helicopter maintenance and storage.
- Large Garage and Ramps: Garage with two ramps that allow rapid deployment of vehicles.
- Internal Pool: Provides effective amphibious operations by enabling landing craft to be launched into the sea.
Range of Tasks
Al Fulk is not only a warship but also a multi-purpose platform:
- Defensive Operations: Providing logistic support to land forces.
- Humanitarian Missions: Rapid access to disaster areas and delivery of aid.
- Mobile Command Center: Enables operations to be managed from sea.
Defense Cooperation Between Qatar and Italy
This delivery is a reflection of the defence cooperation between Qatar and Italy. Qatar's investments are aimed at modernising its navy and to the goals of increasing maritime security helps to achieve.
Fincantieri, has taken Qatar’s maritime capabilities to an advanced level by building a ship of high standards in this project. The company’s statement said that such projects is critical to being prepared for future maritime security challenges. emphasized.
The Importance of Al Fulk to the Qatar Navy
LPD Al Fulk, as the newest part of Qatar's modern naval force with its versatile operational capabilities and technological superiorities It attracts attention. With this ship, Qatar aims to become a more effective naval power in both regional and international waters.
This delivery by Fincantieri increases Qatar’s defense capacity while also strengthening the strategic cooperation between the two countries. The commissioning of Al Fulk will mark the start of the Qatari Navy’s play a more active role in regional maritime security will allow.
