Assad-class corvette

The Assad-class corvette were originally built for Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War, by Fincantieri in Italy. Six ships were ordered in 1981. They were completed just before Operation Desert Storm, and were never delivered due to embargoes by the Italian government.[1][2]

Al Tadjier underway in 1983
Class overview
NameAssad class
Operators
SubclassesLaksamana class
Built1981-1988
In commission1995-present
Planned10
Completed10
Active6
Lost1
Retired3
General characteristics
TypeCorvette
Displacement
  • 600 tons standard
  • 675 tons full load
Length62.3 m (204 ft)
Beam9.3 m (31 ft)
Draft2.8 m (9.2 ft)
Propulsion4 shaft MTU 16V 956 TB91 diesel engines, 24,400 hp (18,200 kW)
Speed37.5 knots (69.5 km/h)
Range4,000 nmi (4,600 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
Complement51
Armament

Four of the six ships were sold to the Malaysian Navy as Laksamana-class corvettes in 1995. The two remaining ships were laid up in La Spezia from 1990, but in 2005 it was announced they would be delivered to the New Iraqi Navy.[3] The deal, however was later cancelled due to the condition of the ships upon inspection. On 19 May 2017, it was reported that the remaining two vessels would be delivered to the Iraq Navy after 26 years. They eventually left La Spezia on a semi-submersible carrier Eide Trader on 22 May and reached Iraq in June 2017.

Otomat missile launch from an Al Assad class ship

The Libyan Navy operated four craft but their fate is unknown. Al Tadjier is believed to have been destroyed by US Navy aircraft. The other ships that served with the Libyan navy were Al Tougour, Al Kalij and Al Hudud. All the ships entered service between 1977 and 1979. All the remaining ships were scrapped in 1993.

Ships of the class

Pennant numberNameBuilderLaunchedCommissionedStatusNotes
 Iraqi Navy – Assad class ( 6 vessels )
F210 Musa ibn Nusayr Fincantieri 5 July 1983 June 2017 Active Laid up in La Spezia after completion due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991 on Iraq. Delivered on 22 May 2017, 26 years after ordered.
F212 Tariq ibn Ziyad Fincantieri 5 July 1983 June 2017 Active Laid up in La Spezia after completion due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991 on Iraq. Delivered on 22 May 2017, 26 years after ordered.
F214 Abdullah ibn Abi Serh Fincantieri 5 July 1983 NA NA Never delivered due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991. Purchased by Royal Malaysian Navy.
F216 Khalid ibn al Walid Fincantieri 5 July 1983 NA NA Never delivered due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991. Purchased by Royal Malaysian Navy.
F218 Saad ibn abi Wakkad Fincantieri 30 December 1983 NA NA Never delivered due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991. Purchased by Royal Malaysian Navy.
F220 Salah Aldin Ayoobi Fincantieri 30 March 1984 NA NA Never delivered due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991. Purchased by Royal Malaysian Navy.
 Libyan Navy – Assad class ( 4 vessels )
Al Tadjier Fincantieri 1977 Destroyed Sunk by US Navy aircraft.
Al Tougour Fincantieri 1977 Scrapped Scrapped in 1993.
Al Kalij Fincantieri 1979 Scrapped Scrapped in 1993.
Al Hudud Fincantieri 1979 Scrapped Scrapped in 1993.
 Royal Malaysian NavyLaksamana class ( 4 vessels )
F134 Laksamana Hang Nadim Fincantieri 5 July 1983 28 July 1997 Active Launched as Khalid ibn al Walid (F216) intended for Iraqi Navy but were never delivered due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991.
F135 Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil Fincantieri 30 December 1983 28 July 1997 Active Launched as Saad ibn abi Wakkad (F218) intended for Iraqi Navy but were never delivered due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991.
F136 Laksamana Muhammad Amin Fincantieri 5 July 1983 July 1999 Active Launched as Abdullah ibn Abi Serh (F214) intended for Iraqi Navy but were never delivered due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991.
F137 Laksamana Tan Pusmah Fincantieri 30 March 1984 July 1999 Active Launched as Salah Aldin Ayoobi (F220) intended for Iraqi Navy but were never delivered due to arms embargo imposed after the Gulf War in 1991.

References

Notes

  1. "Iraq's Would-Be Navy Stuck in Italian Riviera". Associated Press. 12 October 1990. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  2. According to Christopher Chant ("Small Craft Navies", ISBN 1-85409-046-1) all six ships of this class were commissioned already 1988. (September 2018)
  3. Iraqi Navy to Receive Saddam-Era Corvettes from Italian Firm | Sea Power | Find Articles at BNET

Bibliography

  • Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995
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