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16 octobre 2013 3 16 /10 /octobre /2013 07:30
Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) new Khareef Class corvette Al Shamikh seen during its sea trials on the summer of 2013. Photo: BAE Systems

Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) new Khareef Class corvette Al Shamikh seen during its sea trials on the summer of 2013. Photo: BAE Systems

October 15, 2013 by
 

The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) has recently accepted a new corvette – Al Shamikh – the lead ship of Khareef class. The 99 meter corvette has a displacement of 2,660 ton. It was constructed by BAE Systems at Portsmouth, UK and is designated ‘Ocean Patrol Vessel’ (OPV). Al Shamikh was launched in 2009 and accepted by the Royal Oman Navy in the UK June this year. Work at Portsmouth continues on the other two vessels of the class – Al Rahmani and Al Rasikh.

 

VL MICA missile launched on a test firing. The recent test launch from the RNO Al Shamikh was the first operational test launch for the new corvette. Photo: MBDA by Michel Hans

VL MICA missile launched on a test firing. The recent test launch from the RNO Al Shamikh was the first operational test launch for the new corvette. Photo: MBDA by Michel Hans

As part of the sea trials that followed the vessel conducted an operational naval firing of its VL MICA anti-air missile. Al Shamikh is the first deployment of the MICA VL Marine (MICA VL M) missile system, developed by MBDA. The live firing took place at the French MoD’s test range off the coast of the Ile du Levant in the Mediterranean Sea under the supervision and control of the French DGA – EM (Direction Générale de l’Armement – Essais de Missiles).

According to MBDA the VL MICA missile successfully intercepted and destroyed at very low altitude the target which was simulating a sea skimming anti-ship missile. “The success of this firing is evidence of the operational capability of the RNO with its new vessel and weapon system.” the announcement added.

VL MICA is the latest generation of air defence systems and deploys the MICA missile vertically launched from a canister which serves for both storage and launch purposes.  In its naval version, VL MICA provides both area air defence as well as self-defence of the host vessel. MICA fire-and-forget missiles can be equipped with either IR or radar seekers and are capable of dealing with the full range of airborne threats as well as saturating attacks.

Worldwide to date, 12 armed forces have selected the MICA missile.

 
The new Omani corvette Al Shamikh arrives at Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) Said bin Sultan Naval Base. Photo: BAE Systems

The new Omani corvette Al Shamikh arrives at Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) Said bin Sultan Naval Base. Photo: BAE Systems

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26 juin 2013 3 26 /06 /juin /2013 15:30
RNO Al Shamikh - Khareef Class corvette

RNO Al Shamikh - Khareef Class corvette

Jun 26, 2013 ASDNews Source : BAE Systems PLC

 

The first warship built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) as part of Project Khareef for the design, build and delivery of three corvettes, has been formally handed over in a ceremony at HM Naval Base Portsmouth today.

 

Employees and guests, including senior representatives from the Royal Navy of Oman and UK Royal Navy, gathered in front of the ship as the crew marched on board to raise the national flag of Oman on her flight deck for the first time.

 

Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships, said: “Today is an important milestone in the strong and growing relationship between BAE Systems and Oman, as we hand over the first of the Khareef class warships.

 

“It’s an immensely proud moment for everyone at BAE Systems involved in the design, build, trial and delivery of Al Shamikh to see her crew march onboard and take ownership of the vessel. We now look forward to continuing our partnership with the Royal Navy of Oman, supporting the new crew and working towards the completion of the next two ships.”

 

The Khareef Class corvettes are equipped to defend against both surface and air threats with stealth features to operate undetected, an innovative hull design and electric propulsion to provide exceptional manoeuvrability. The ship is capable of undertaking a range of operations including coastal patrols, disaster relief, search and rescue, and deterrence operations.

 

Today’s ceremony marked the Interim Acceptance of Al Shamikh during which the ship is transferred to the Royal Navy of Oman. The Interim Acceptance of Al Rahmani, the second Khareef Class corvette, is scheduled to be handed over later in the year, while the final ship, Al Rasikh, is scheduled for handover in 2014.

 

The 85-strong crew of Al Shamikh, now based in the UK, will undergo the UK Royal Navy's Flag Officer Sea Training programme for five weeks before the ship embarks on her voyage of more than 3,000 miles to Oman.

 

The final acceptance of the ship is scheduled for 2014 after final hot weather trials are completed in Oman where the ship will demonstrate her ability to perform in temperatures in excess of 45 degrees.

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