Baynunah Programme

The BAYNUNAH contract was signed by the UAE Armed Forces at the end of 2003.
 
This contract covers the design and construction of a new class of 72-metre multipurpose missiles corvettes for the UAE Navy. The initial contract covered four units, with an option for two additional ships. This option was exercised early in July, 2005.
 
 The design of the vessels and the construction of the First of Class will be performed by CMN in their shipyard in Cherbourg, France. The remaining units will be built in the UAE, in the premises of Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), which is acting as prime contractor, under the technical supervision of CMN. CMN will provide transfer of technology services, as well as integrated logistic support (ILS) and various training services.
  
The first stage of the programme was recently completed with the signature of the Platform Preliminary Design Review (PPDR). This major step defined the final configuration of this new type of vessel. All systems and sub-systems have been carefully selected by the UAE Navy in close co-operation with CMN and ADSB.
 
 On May 31^st, 2005, Colonel Radi Al Makbout, Head of the UAE Navy’s BAYNUNAH Programme Survey Team, initiated the cutting of the first steel for the BAYNUNAH Project.
 
 Today at the CMN shipyard in Cherbourg, the first structural unit for the hull of the first vessel was formally placed on the building berth. The UAE Navy Commander, Major General Suhail Shaheen Al Marar, accompanied by UAE Navy officers and staff, attended the ceremony in the presence of the ADSB and CMN management teams.
 
 The UAE Ambassador to France, His Excellency Saif Sultan Al Aryani, the UAE Military Attaché in France, Colonel Al Raeesi, and Mr Jean-Luc Laboureyras (IGA), representing the French Minister of Defence, Madame Michèle Alliot-Marie, attended the ceremony.
  
Construction of the second vessel will start in the ADSB shipyard in 2006.
 
 The design of the vessels includes a platform for a Panther-class helicopter, with a modern system for landing assistance, as well as a hangar enabling the embarked helicopter to be equipped for various combat missions (anti-surface and anti-submarine) as well as search and rescue operations. These capabilities are usually only available on much larger vessels.
  
The BAYNUNAH vessels will be the largest steel hulled combat ships ever built with a waterjet main propulsion system. Three waterjets will be fitted in the vessels, driven by four diesel engines, providing high manoeuvrability and a 30-knot operational speed