Ardhana-class patrol craft

Class overview
BuildersVT Group (formerly Vosper Thornycroft), UK
Operators United Arab Emirates
Built1970s
In commission1975-present
Completed6
Active6
General characteristics
TypePatrol boat
Displacement110 tons (standard), 175 tons (full load)
Length110 ft (34 m)
Draft6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Propulsion2 Paxman 12CM diesels
Speed30 knots (56 km/h)
Range1,800 nautical miles (3,300 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement26
Sensors &
processing systems
Racal Decca TM 1626 radar
Armament2 Oerlikon/BMARC 30 mm/75 A32 (twin), 1 Oerlikon/BMARC 20 mm/80 A41A

The Ardhana class is a class of patrol boat that was built for the United Arab Emirates Navy in the early 1970s and commissioned in 1975. The six vessels were the largest craft in the UAE fleet at the time of the unification of its armed forces in 1976.[1] The vessels mounted 30mm cannon and these remained the heaviest weapon in the navy's arsenal until the acquisition of Exocet missiles in 1980.[2] A decision was announced in 2004 that the that Ardhana class will be decommissioned and replaced by the Baynunah-class corvette.[3]

Units

  • P3301 Ardhana
  • P3302 Zurara
  • P3303 Murban
  • P3304 Al Ghullan
  • P3305 Radoom
  • P3306 Ghanadhah

References

  1. ^ Yates, Athol (10 December 2020). Evolution of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates. Helion and Company. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-80451-618-8.
  2. ^ Yates, Athol (10 December 2020). Evolution of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates. Helion and Company. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-80451-618-8.
  3. ^ Yates, Athol (10 December 2020). Evolution of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates. Helion and Company. p. 266. ISBN 978-1-80451-618-8.