Ship Building, which constructs military vessels for the UAE Navy, has launched Mezyad, the fourth vessel of the Baynunah Corvette Class Programme. The vessel, which was launched in the presence of senior officials from the UAE Navy on Wednesday, features the highest level of outfitting prior to launch. It is equipped with propulsion machinery including engine and weapons such as Main Gun and Side Guns that were installed ?last year. Abu Dhabi Ship Building has also announced the completion of the extension of the quay wall of its shipbuilding facility by about 155 meters. The expansion programme enables the ship maker to accommodate more vessels for fitouts, tests and trials. Mohamed Salem Al Junaibi, Chief Executive Officer of ?Abu Dhabi Ship Building, said ?the launch “demonstrates Abu Dhabi Ship Building’s advanced capabilities.” The Baynunah Corvette Class Programme, which is the largest warship construction programme and a first-of-its-kind project in the region, will significantly boost the arsenal of the UAE Navy and enable it to effectively fulfil its constitutional duty of protecting the UAE’s maritime territory. The launch of the fourth vessel of the Baynunah Corvette Class Programme, the chief executive said was “certainly an excellent way to start 2012, marking another milestone.” Construction of the Mezyad started with steel cutting for hull construction on May 10, 2007. The keel was laid on November 28, 2007, while the hull was completed in 2008 and the superstructure was installed later ?that year. The Baynunah Corvette Class Programme is the biggest warship construction programme in the region consisting of six state-of-the-art warships for the UAE Navy. Each of the 72-metre highly-advanced corvettes can be deployed for various missions, including coastal patrol and surveillance, helicopter operations, and peacetime patrols. The Baynunah Class Corvettes’ key features include a stealthy superstructure, a helicopter landing deck and a hangar. The Corvettes will also be fitted with Anti-Ship Missiles, and air-defence missiles; 3D Surveillance, Navigation and Fire control Radars and a Multivendor electronic warfare suite. The Baynunah Programme is being undertaken at the world-class Abu Dhabi Ship Building facility in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. The first of the Baynunah vessels was built at CMN’s Cherbourg yard under a subcontract agreement with Abu Dhabi Ship Building. The second vessel, named ‘Al Hesen’, and the third named ‘Al Dhafra’, were launched in 2011. All six corvette vessels are expected to be delivered to the UAE Navy by 2014.