Turkish shipbuilder Dearsan launched the first of two FAC 50 fast attack craft for the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces on November 17, 2025, at its Istanbul facility. The vessel was docked and met the sea less than a year after its keel was laid in late 2024. The Qatari customer will call these vessels “MAC 50” for Missile Attack Craft.
The 50-meter missile-equipped platform is part of a contract signed in June 2023 and announced in March 2024 at DIMDEX 2024 exhibition in Doha. Construction began in February 2024, with the keel-laying ceremony held in December 2024. The second vessel remains under construction and is progressing on schedule.
The MAC 50 measures 50.76 meters in length with a 9.53-meter beam and 2.10-meter draft. The vessel is designed for a maximum speed of 36 knots and a range of 1,000 nautical miles. It features a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, with propulsion provided by three diesel engines driving three waterjets.
The platform’s primary armament includes Roketsan ÇAKIR anti-ship missiles and Roketsan Sungur surface to air missiles. A Leonardo 40 mm gun serves as the main gun, supported by two Aselsan-STAMP remote weapon stations and two 12.7 mm manual machine guns. Sensor systems include an Aselsan MAR-D surface and air surveillance radar, a low probability of intercept (LPI) navigation radar, an electro-optical sensor, and an electronic support system.
The vessel is configured for surface warfare, air defense, and asymmetric warfare operations. Secondary missions include patrol, territorial waters protection, counter-piracy, counter-trafficking, surveillance, and search and rescue.
The MAC 50 design was tailored specifically for Qatar’s operational requirements in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea. The original Dearsan FAC design measured 43 meters, but the Qatari variant was extended to 50 meters to accommodate additional systems and mission requirements, anc changed the name to MAC 50 which stands for missile attack craft as per request of the customer.
With the launch complete, Dearsan will now focus on outfitting activities for the first vessel while continuing construction of the second craft. The project timeline calls for sea trials to be conducted initially in Türkiye, followed by additional trials in Qatar before delivery to the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces.
Dearsan has been also active in the African market as well, with ongoing projects including two OPV 76 offshore patrol vessels for the Nigerian Navy and modernization work on the Nigerian Navy flagship NNS Aradu.
