ST Engineering has secured a six-year subcontract from Edge Group’s Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB). The contract covers designing and supplying platform systems for eight missile boats for the Kuwait Naval Force.
Valued at S$600 million (US$467 million), the award includes construction of three of these vessels at ST Engineering’s shipyard in Singapore, in addition to platform design and systems integration work.
The boats are understood to be based on the Falaj-3 design, itself derived from ST Engineering’s Fearless-class patrol vessels, but incorporating enhancements to reduce their radar cross-section, infrared and acoustic signatures.
Edge signed the prime contract with Kuwait in January 2025 under a US$2.45 billion deal. The group is also expected to provide the vessels’ weapon systems, likely including the Mansup anti-ship missile as their primary strike capability.
According to company data, the 680-tonne vessels measure 62.7m in length, with a beam of 9.5m and a draught of 2.6m. Powered by four engines driving four propellers, the boats can achieve a top speed of 25kt and they possess a range of approximately 2,000nm when travelling at 12kt.
Imagery indicates provision for a medium-calibre main gun, anti-ship missile launchers and additional rocket systems.
The contract builds on an existing partnership between ST Engineering and ADSB for four Falaj-3 offshore patrol vessels for the United Arab Emirates Navy, which was signed in 2021. The lead ship, Altaf, was commissioned in February 2025.
“The growing acceptance of our design across the Middle East, in Oman, the UAE and now Kuwait reflects customer confidence in its robust operational performance and adaptability,” Tan Leong Peng, President of ST Engineering’s Marine Business, said in a statement.
by Chen Chuanren
