ST Engineering Lays Keel for Kuwait’s Third Al Dorra-Class Vessel
ST Engineering has laid the keel of the third Al Dorra-class vessel for the Kuwait Naval Force at its Benoi Yard in Singapore, and cut steel for the fourth and fifth. The ceremony took place on October 20, 2026, three months after plate cutting began on the third vessel in July, according to Naval News.
Representatives of the Kuwait Naval Force, UAE-based EDGE Group, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) and other programme partners attended. Vessel 3 is scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2027.
Kuwait’s Al Dorra-Class Programme at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Customer | Kuwait Ministry of Defence (Kuwait Naval Force) |
| Prime contractor | EDGE Group, responsible for design, construction, trials and delivery |
| Builders | ST Engineering Marine (three vessels, Singapore) and Abu Dhabi Ship Building (five vessels, UAE) |
| Quantity | Eight vessels |
| Value | AED 9 billion (about $2.45 billion) |
| Support | Integrated logistics support, in-service support and ammunition supply |
| Design basis | ST Engineering’s Fearless-class design |
| Latest milestone | Keel laid for Vessel 3; steel cut for Vessels 4 and 5 (October 20, 2026) |
EDGE announced the contract in June 2025 and originally described the ships as 62-metre FALAJ-3 missile boats adapted to Kuwait’s requirements, with combat systems intended for littoral defence. The Kuwait order followed the UAE Navy’s acquisition of the FALAJ-3 class, whose first vessel, ALTAF, was commissioned in February 2025.
Where Each Vessel Is Being Built
The first vessel, AL NOUKHITHA, was launched at ADSB’s Abu Dhabi yard on February 3, 2026, during the shipbuilder’s 30th anniversary celebrations. The Singapore batch is now moving in parallel.
| Feature | Singapore batch | UAE batch |
|---|---|---|
| Builder | ST Engineering Marine, Benoi Yard | Abu Dhabi Ship Building (EDGE subsidiary) |
| Vessels | Three (Vessels 3 to 5) | Five |
| Status | Keel laid for Vessel 3; steel cut for Vessels 4 and 5 | Vessel 1, AL NOUKHITHA, launched February 3, 2026 |
| Next step | Vessel 3 launch in Q3 2027; no dates given for Vessels 4 and 5 | Not detailed in the sources used |
ST Engineering said the Benoi Yard uses automated panel lines, robotic profile cutters and micro-panel fabrication, which the company says improve productivity, precision and build consistency.
From Plate Cutting to Launch
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 2025 | UAE Navy commissions the first FALAJ-3 vessel, ALTAF |
| June 2025 | EDGE announces the AED 9 billion Kuwait contract |
| February 3, 2026 | AL NOUKHITHA launched at ADSB, Abu Dhabi |
| July 2026 | Plate cutting for Vessel 3 in Singapore |
| October 20, 2026 | Keel laid for Vessel 3; steel cut for Vessels 4 and 5 |
| Q3 2027 | Planned launch of Vessel 3 |
Three months between plate cutting and keel laying is a quick pace for a first-in-batch hull in Singapore, but that comparison is analysis rather than a figure from the builder. Launch and delivery dates for the later hulls have not been made public.
ST Engineering Company Profile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Singapore |
| Founded | 1967, as Chartered Industries of Singapore; ST Engineering name from 1997 |
| Employees | About 27,000 (2024) |
| Revenue | S$12.35 billion (FY2025) |
| CEO | Vincent Chong |
| Segments | Commercial Aerospace, Urban Solutions, Defence and Public Security |
| Known programmes | Victory-class multi-role combat vessels, Formidable-class frigate maintenance, Terrex and Hunter armoured vehicles |
Kuwait is also buying elsewhere. Earlier this month, MARSS won a £370 million Kuwait counter-drone defence contract.
Al Dorra-Class Vessel FAQ
What is the Al Dorra class?
The name given to the missile boats EDGE is building for Kuwait, based on ST Engineering’s Fearless-class design and originally described as 62-metre FALAJ-3 vessels.
How many vessels are in the Kuwait order?
Eight in total: three built by ST Engineering in Singapore and five by Abu Dhabi Ship Building in the UAE.
How much is the contract worth?
AED 9 billion, about $2.45 billion, announced by EDGE in June 2025.
Who is the prime contractor?
EDGE Group, which is responsible for design, construction, trials and delivery. ADSB is the build subcontractor.
When will the third vessel launch?
The ship is scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2027.
- Naval News – “ST Engineering Lays Keel for Kuwait’s Third Al Dorra-Class Vessel” (October 21, 2026): navalnews.com
- EDGE Group – announcement of the Kuwait Ministry of Defence contract (June 2025), as cited by Naval News
- Wikipedia – ST Engineering (company data)
