Unique: Qatar’s Warship “Al Fulk” Combines Air Defense Frigate and LPD Roles

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Qatar’s Navy has recently taken delivery of its latest warship, Al Fulk, a multi-mission Landing Platform Dock (LPD) built by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

The warship features a unique design that combines the capabilities of a surface combatant with its primary role as an air defense platform integrated with Landing Platform Dock functionality.

The warship boasts a unique design, blending the features of a surface combatant with those of a Landing Platform Dock.

Weighing 8,800 tons, Al Fulk integrates diverse capabilities into a single platform, according to defense analysts.

Constructed at Fincantieri’s shipyards in Palermo and Muggiano, Italy, the warship is equipped with a large flight deck capable of accommodating NH90 helicopters, a hangar, and an internal dock to deploy landing crafts for transporting marines, armored vehicles, and various ground combat equipment, including artillery.

With a cruising speed of 15 knots, Al Fulk has an operational range of 7,000 nautical miles.

BRIEF:

Qatar’s Navy has acquired its latest warship, Al Fulk, a multi-mission Landing Platform Dock (LPD) constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Weighing 8,800 tons, Al Fulk integrates air defense and surface combatant capabilities with landing dock functionality, offering flexibility for various missions.

The 143-meter-long vessel can carry up to 550 personnel and is equipped with a flight deck for NH90 helicopters, a hangar, and an internal dock for landing crafts, marines, and ground combat equipment. Its systems include the AESA Kronos radar and a 16-cell Sylver A50 Vertical Launch System for launching Aster 30 Block 1 and SAAM-ESD missiles, allowing effective counteraction against ballistic missile threats.

Designed for aerial, maritime, and ground operations, the ship has a cruising range of 7,000 nautical miles and supports missions such as humanitarian assistance, troop support, and air defense. It will operate alongside Al Zubarah-class corvettes, also built by Fincantieri.

Al Fulk is part of a €5 billion (RM23.4 billion) contract with Italy, enhancing Qatar’s naval fleet with corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, and advanced multi-mission capabilities.

Designed to RINAMIL standards, it can perform aerial, maritime, and ground operations.

Fincantieri stated that the vessel is equipped for a wide range of missions, from humanitarian assistance and air defense to ground troop support.

The ship’s primary mission, however, is air defense.

It will operate in conjunction with Al Zubarah-class air defense corvettes, also constructed by Fincantieri. Measuring 143 meters in length and 21.5 meters in width, Al Fulk can accommodate up to 550 personnel.

Notably, the vessel is equipped with the same AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) Kronos multifunction radar as the Al Zubarah-class corvettes, along with a 16-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) Sylver A50, capable of launching Aster 30 Block 1 and SAAM-ESD surface-to-air missiles developed by MBDA.

Fincantieri emphasized that these systems, in combination with the Kronos L-Band Power Shield radar, enable Al Fulk to detect and counter ballistic missile threats effectively.

Al Fulk is part of a broader €5 billion (RM23.4 billion) contract signed in 2017, which includes four Al Zubarah-class corvettes, two Al Musherib-class offshore patrol vessels, and the multi-mission LPD, further enhancing Qatar’s naval capabilities. — DSA