Al-Quwaisat-class landing ship

Class overview
Name	Al-Quwaisat class
Builders	Shin Yang
Operators	United Arab Emirates Navy
Planned	3
Completed	3
Active	3
General characteristics
Type	Landing Ship Tank
Displacement	2,046 tons
Length	80 m (262 ft 6 in)
Beam	16.8 m (55 ft 1 in)
Draught	4 m (13 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	2 × Cummins KTA50-M2 4 × Cummins KTA19-D (M1)
Speed	Maximum: 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) Cruising: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range	2,500  nmi (4,600 km; 2,900 mi)
Endurance	21 days
Capacity	Cargo, Marine troops, Tanks
Complement	106
Armament	12.7 mm Browning M2HB machine guns
Aviation facilities	Helicopter landing platform

The Al-Quwaisat class is a series of Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) of the United Arab Emirates Navy (UAE Navy). They were built by the Malaysian company Shin Yang based on the company's 80 m LST design. Two ships have been completed and in service with UAE Navy with one more ordered in 2020. ^[1]

Characteristics

The Al-Quwaisat class has a length of 80 metres (262 ft 6 in), a beam of 16.8 metres (55 ft 1 in), and a draught of 4 metres (13 ft 1 in). The ship has a complement of 106. The LSTs have a capacity to carry cargo, marine troops, tanks and helicopters. They have a displacement of 2,046 tonnes and a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) for cruising and 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) for maximum. The ships are armed with light defensive weapons such as 12.7 mm Browning M2HB machine guns. ^[2]

Service history

The Al-Quwaisat class took part in UAE Navy operations in the Yemen conflict. ^[3] They were involved in a logistic role to support allied forces in the operation. ^[4]

On 16 October 2024, Al-Quwaisat participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Indian Navy's INS Shardul during its visit to Port Rashid, Dubai as a part of long range training deployment. ^[5]

Ships of the class

Pennant	Name	Builders	Launched	Commissioned
A81	Al-Quwaisat [6]	Shin Yang	17/10/2012	2/10/2013
A82	Al-Futaisi [7]		29/10/2012	2/10/2013
A83	Al-Taweelah [8]	7/7/2020	2021 [9]

References

1. "Shin Yang delivers two 80M LCT vessels to UAE Navy". Borneo Post Online. October 17, 2012.
2. "MRSS As Well, Plan B Shorts - Malaysian Defence".
3. "West of Suez for the United Arab Emirates". War on the Rocks. September 2, 2016.
4. "The Emirati Navy Arrives in Eritrea". Stratfor.
5. SNS (2024-10-18). "INS Shardul engages in joint naval drills with UAE, strengthening maritime partnership". The Statesman. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
6. "AL QUWAISAT (Warship)". FleetMon.com.
7. "ALFUTAISI, Landing Craft - Details and current position - IMO 9644653 - VesselFinder". www.vesselfinder.com.
8. "Malaysia Shipping & Shipyard | Shin Yang Shipping Corp - Hull 987 Launching Ceremony". www.syshippingcorp.com.my. Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
9. "Indian Navy's 1st Training Squadron Visits Dubai and Undertakes Maritime Partnership Exercise".