Al-Quwaisat-class landing ship

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]

Class overview
Name	Al-Quwaisat class
Builders	Shin Yang Malaysia
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

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, Malaysia	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]