NAVDEX 2025 – Commissioning of the UAE Navy’s first-of-class Falaj 3 missile boat
During NAVDEX 2025, the first-of-class Al Taf (P 163) 62-metre missile boat built under the Falaj3 programme by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), part of the EDGE Group, was commissioned into service with the UAE Naval Forces, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, and Staff Major General Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces
Designed and built entirely in the UAE according to EDGE Group, under a contract assigned in 2021, the new class of four 62-metre missile boat represents a strategic addition to the UAE Armed Forces’ naval defence capabilities, thanks to its high operational efficiency and advanced technologies that reinforce combat readiness and enhance the effectiveness of the naval forces in executing various missions and operational duties, emphasised Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the ceremony.
With a ship’s first steel cutting in December 2023 and a launch celebrated in January 2025, the vessel’s official commissioning at NAVDEX 2025 provided an opportunity to uncover details of the platform and combat system, of which few equipment have been identified so far by ADSB and the UAE Armed Forces. The Al Taf class ships have a full length and beam of respectively 62.7 and 9.5 metres, a full load displacement of approximately 680 tonnes and a 3.4 metres maximum draft at the propellers, according to latest released data. The new missile boat (previously identified as OPV) has a propulsion package based on four diesel engines connected through gearboxes to the same number of shafts to four fixed pitch propellers with two vertical rudders (on the more external propellers position), and is capable to attain a maximum speed in excess of 25 knots and a range of 2,000 nm at 16 knots. The ship is equipped with a bow thruster ensuring manoeuvrability in restricted waters. Electrical power is provided by four generators each 300 kWe capable.
With a complement of 39 personnel, the new vessels have a high level of automation as they are fitted with an integrated platform management system to monitor and control all systems from one single point.
The combat system main equipment and integration are provided by Leonardo. Although no specific system information was supplied by ADSB, the Italian group provides the Command Management System, which EDR On-Line has identified as the latest generation ATHENA C Mk2 CMS hardware and software package in a customized iteration to satisfy UAE Naval Forces requirements. Based on the released commissioning video, each CMS console presents two multifunction colour displays one of which angular. The navigation sensor suite is centred on two Kelvin Hughes radars, while the internal/external communication suite should be provided by Rohde & Schwarz and should be based on the NAVICS solution, although the supplier hasn’t been identified. Leonardo is understood to contribute to the communications and identification package, providing the multi datalink processor (MDLP) for managing data links interaction and information distribution, as well as the new generation IFF interrogator and transponder, understood being respectively the SIR-M-C EVO and M-428 equipment.
The sensors suite is centred on the Kronos Naval 3D multifunction radar by Leonardo which is installed under the conical radome of the integrated mast behind the main bridge. EDR On-Line has identified it as the High Power (Kronos NV HP) version while the vessels’ EW package is based on the latest generation RESM/CESM suite by ELT Group (Elettronica) characterized by an integrated antenna installed on top of it, the same EW family package being installed on the two UAE Bani Yas-class Gowind corvettes by Naval Group.
The integrated mast also features the SPYNEL InfraRed Search & Track suite by French HGH which is centred on two rotating turrets for passive wide-area surveillance installed on the mast two front corners, while the rear ones host the two electro-optical fire control turret for the same number of Halcon LOGIR (LOw-cost Guided Imaging Rocket) missiles, already equipping the Bani-Yas-class Gowind corvettes.
Leonardo also provides the NA-30S Mk2 dual-band radar/electro-optical fire control system for the Super Rapido 76/62 mm main gun, which is visible over the bridge. The gun comes in the Strales configuration with DART guided ammunitions for dealing mostly with anti-ship missiles and surface-to-surface threats. In addition, the bow area also features a row of eight vertical launching system (VLS) cells for the MBDA VL MICA surface-to-air missiles which, together with the RAMSyS/Raytheon Mk 49 RAM launching system for both Block 1A and Block 2 RIM-116 missiles positioned over the ship rear superstructures, allow the missile boat to deal with multiple and simultaneous attacking missiles and other air and surface threats.
Anti-surface warfare operations at longer range are conducted with MBDA MM40 Exocet Block 3 family of anti-ship missiles, two twin-launchers are positioned amidships on the lower deck, to reduce the ship radar signature thanks to panels that are opened on the ship sides for missile propulsion exhaust.
Shorter range defence is provided by two trainable launchers for the Halcon LOGIR missile equipped with 12 fire-and-forget IIR-guided rounds positioned in the ship stern area, as well as two remotely operated guns on each ship side amidships, which EDR On-Line identified with the Australian EOS R400-M turrets armed with the Northrop Grumman M230F 30 mm cannon, already diffused on UAE Naval Forces vessels. Two Rheinmetall Defence MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System) decoy launchers are also installed on the rear superstructure area on each ship side. The ships are equipped with a RHIB, its launch and recovery station being positioned behind a curtain on the left side of the ship, which contributes reducing the ship signature.
The Al Taf-class design is a derivative of the ST Engineering Marine business unit Fearless-class patrol vessel, of which in November 2021 ST Engineering received a sub-contract by ADSB for the supply of design, platform equipment and technical assistance for the construction of the new Falaj 3 platforms.
