The multi-ammunition softkill system (MASS) buil by Germany's Rheinmetall Marine Systems will be installed on the UAE's new Baynunah class multi-purpose missile corvettes in a deal valued at 4.5 million euros (Dh21.69 million), officials said.
"The UAE is the first customer for the MASS in this region although Oman and Kuwait are also interested," Christoph Bormann, Programme Manager of Rheinmetall Marine Systems, told Gulf News yesterday.
"Each of the naval corvettes will have a two-launcher MASS.
"The first delivery will be in 2006. The project is now in the definition phase," he said.
The MASS naval decoy system is a complete missile defence that operates effectively in littoral and blue water environments and is fully computerised as a trainable decoy launcher.
"It protects ships from missile attacks in the littoral zones and on the high seas and acts as a protective defence against all types of missiles such as infra-red, guided missiles, imaging frequency and radar."
Finland was the first country to install the MASS for its navy. Other navies using the system include Germany, Norway and Sweden.
The Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company (ADSB) along with France's CMN is building four Baynunah-class corvettes for the UAE Navy in a deal totalling Dh1.83 billion.
The first of the four vessels carrying the MASS will be delivered in 2008 and the other three will be delivered at approximately six-month intervals after that, said William Saltzer, Chief Executive of ADSB.
The contract was awarded in late 2003.
Rolls Royce will supply its Kamewa water jets for the corvettes to give them a top speed of more than 30 knots, it was announced during the ongoing Idex.
Rheinmetall this week won one of the biggest contracts awarded at Idex so far when it was selected by the UAE to supply an NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) defensive system at a cost of Dh768 million.
Gulf News
