ST Engineering laid the keel for the third Al Dorra-class vessel and cut steel for the fourth and fifth vessels at its Benoi Yard in Singapore on October 20, 2026. The three missile boats form part of an eight-vessel programme for the Kuwait Naval Force.
According to ST Engineering Marine, representatives from the Kuwait Naval Force, EDGE, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) and programme partners attended the ceremony. The keel laying came three months after the plate-cutting ceremony for Vessel 3 in July. The ship is scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2027.
The Al Dorra programme comprises eight vessels under EDGE’s contract with Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence. Three are being built in Singapore and five in the United Arab Emirates. The latest ceremony covered construction milestones for all three Singapore-built vessels.
ST Engineering Marine said the ships are based on its Fearless-class design. Construction at Benoi draws on automated panel lines, robotic profile cutters and micro-panel fabrication, which the company says support productivity, precision and consistent build quality.
Eight-Vessel Programme
EDGE announced the AED 9 billion (USD 2.45 billion) contract with Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence in June 2025. At the time, the vessels were described as 62-metre FALAJ-3 missile boats tailored to Kuwait’s operational requirements.
As prime contractor, EDGE is responsible for the design, construction, trials and delivery of the vessels. The contract also covers Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), In-Service Support (ISS) and the supply of ammunition. ADSB, EDGE’s naval shipbuilding subsidiary, was selected as the programme’s build subcontractor.
The first Al Dorra-class vessel, AL NOUKHITHA, was launched at ADSB’s Abu Dhabi shipyard on February 3, 2026. As previously reported by Naval News, the launch took place during celebrations marking the shipbuilder’s 30th anniversary, attended by senior UAE Navy and Kuwait Naval Force officials, EDGE leadership and programme partners.
The Kuwait contract followed the UAE Navy’s acquisition of the FALAJ-3 class. Its first vessel, ALTAF, was commissioned in February 2025. EDGE’s original contract announcement stated that the Kuwaiti vessels would be adapted to the customer’s requirements, with combat systems and capabilities intended for littoral defence operations.
The October ceremony follows the first vessel’s launch in Abu Dhabi and the start of steel work on Vessel 3 in Singapore earlier this year. While ST Engineering Marine identified a launch window for Vessel 3, its latest announcement did not provide launch or delivery dates for Vessels 4 and 5.
