The delivery of Khareef class corvettes destined for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) faces delays due to engineering issues that came to light while the first of the three offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), Al Shamikh, was undergoing sea trials off the coast of the UK this year.
Weighing around 2,600 tonnes, the corvettes feature state-of-the-art design, information and weapon systems. The Al Shamikh was to arrive in Oman in 2010, but the timescale slipped and now faces further delays with the latest discovery.
The builders of the vessels, BAE Surface Ships, told Muscat Daily that they were in talks with Oman to try to agree to a revised schedule but declined to outline the exact nature of the issue or how long the delay might be.
"We are working closely with the RNO to agree the delivery schedule for the three Khareef class ships and remain strongly committed to delivering the outstanding capability that they will provide," said a spokesperson for BAE Surface Ships.
The latest problems with the Khareef could harm the reputation of BAE Surface Ships, said Bob Nugent, vice president of advisory services at AMI International, with other past instances of contractual issues, including a dispute with Brunei over three OPVs that never entered service, ending in international arbitration.
More recently, he added, Trinidad and Tobago terminated a contract with BAE for three 90m OPVs citing cost overruns, contract issues and high annual operating costs. "This latest report of performance issues that surfaced during Khareef corvette trials will add to the pressure on BAE. That, in turn, will make it all the more critical for them to get it right with the Type 26 (frigate) as they offer that ship design to the world market."
BAE Systems inherited the Khareef contract from Vosper Thornycraft Shipbuilding during a company merger in 2008 with one ship being launched for each of the past two years at the UK's Portsmouth shipyards. The third and last, in class, Al Rasikh, is due in the water this year for final fitting out of key systems and equipment.
At 99m in length, they will be the largest warships in the RNO fleet and the first new class of corvettes to enter service since the Qahir class in 1996, built by VT Shipbuilders.
© Muscat Daily 2011
