LA NAVE ITALIANA che CAMBIA GLI EQUILIBRI NEL MEDIO ORIENTE

In recent weeks, Qatar has activated its air defense capabilities in response to a series of Iranian missile and drone attacks. In this context, an Italian-built ship, the Al-Fulk, was deployed as part of the naval deployment for territorial protection. According to estimates published by Rivista Italiana Difesa, the incoming threats exceeded two hundred missiles and over one hundred drones, while Naval News reports approximately 60 ballistic missiles intercepted overall by the defense system. The Al-Fulk is derived from designs already developed for the Italian Navy, specifically the San Giorgio class, with modifications designed for Qatar's needs. Ordered in 2016 and built by Fincantieri, it was launched in 2023 and delivered in November 2024. The vessel measures approximately 143 meters, displacing 8,000 tons, with a maximum speed of 20 knots and a crew of approximately 150, with the capacity to transport up to 440 personnel and support personnel. Despite being an amphibious ship, the Qatari version integrates advanced air defense capabilities. The combat system includes a Kronos radar and Aster 15 and 30 missiles, with two Sylver A50 vertical launchers for a total of 16 missiles. This configuration allows for the engagement of aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles, supported by a 76 mm gun for close-in defense. During operations, the ship operated alongside other vessels of the Qatari fleet, including the Al-Zubarah-class corvettes, also built in Italy. Coordination between platforms contributed to managing incoming threats, integrating sensors and weapons systems into a single operational architecture. The operational use of the Al-Fulk represents a concrete test of a platform designed to combine amphibious capabilities and air defense. Use in a real-world scenario allowed testing the functionality of the integrated architecture based on sensors, missiles, and cooperation between naval units. #defense #navy #qatar #iran #missiles #drones #naval #fincantieri #aster30 #airdefense #military #geopolitics #war #gulf