Article Posted on : - Jun 29, 2011

The third ship has been named 'Al Rasikh'. A BAE photo

PORTSMOUTH (BNS): UK defence major BAE Systems has launched the third and last Project Khareef class corvette for the Royal Oman Navy.

The warship, formally launched at the Portsmouth shipyard on Monday in the presence of Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and UK Royal Navy representatives and other company officials, has been named ‘Al Rasikh’.

BAE had received the £400 million project in 2007 to build three Khareef class corvettes for Oman. The deal included through-life support and services, training for RNO personnel and initial logistics support package for the ships.

The state-of-the-art 99 metre corvettes with a displacement of 2,500 tonnes and top speed of 25 knots have been designed to defend against both surface and air threats.

The ships will be used to protect Omani territorial waters, conducting coastal patrols in peacetime, with the ability to conduct search and rescue, as well as disaster relief, while providing ocean going capability for use in deterrent operations during times of tension.

“These highly sophisticated ships are fitted with complex weapons and high quality accommodation with exceptional sea keeping ability.

“I have no doubt that Al Rasikh, and her sister ships, will be a valued asset within the Royal Navy of Oman's surface fleet,” Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Surface Ships division which has built the ships, said.

The first ship of the class, Al Shamikh, is presently undergoing sea trials and will be handed over to the RNO in 2012. The second ship, Al Rahmani, will begin sea trials later this year.