ADSB: Delivering Advanced Naval Capabilities Across the Region

Our Bureau - : Jan 22, 2026 - : 1:43 am

For three decades, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has played a central role in shaping naval capability across the Gulf, delivering complex vessels, advancing in-country shipbuilding expertise, and supporting regional navies with sophisticated vessels. While the company continues to innovate, its legacy is defined less by longevity and more by the scale and impact of the capabilities it has delivered to the region.

Since its establishment in 1995, ADSB has evolved from a local shipyard into one of the most advanced naval industrial centres in the Middle East. Its facilities have expanded to more than 330,000 square metres, supported by a skilled workforce of around 1,400 personnel, enabling the delivery of major naval programmes for regional customers. This growth has anchored critical shipbuilding, integration, and sustainment capabilities within the UAE, strengthening regional maritime resilience and operational readiness.

ADSB’s programme record reflects a sustained focus on meeting the evolving requirements of Gulf navies. From early upgrades to UAE Navy fast attack craft, through to the delivery of advanced patrol vessels, missile boats, and complex combatants, the shipbuilder has developed and delivered a wide range of in-house designs. These span interceptors and patrol vessels through to frigates and corvettes of up to 92 metres, each tailored to regional operating environments and mission profiles.

A defining milestone in this journey is the ongoing delivery of the FALAJ 3 programme, including the successful commissioning of AL TAF, the first-of-class missile boat for the UAE Navy. The programme represents one of the most sophisticated naval combat vessel developments undertaken in the region, demonstrating ADSB’s ability to integrate advanced combat systems, manage complex supply chains, and deliver sovereign capability at scale. This expertise has also underpinned ADSB’s landmark AED 7 billion contract with the Kuwait Ministry of Defence for another fleet of missile boats, reinforcing its position as a trusted regional naval partner.

Technology development and strategic partnerships remain central to ADSB’s approach. The establishment of a dedicated technology office has strengthened intellectual property protection within the UAE while accelerating collaboration with leading local and international partners. Platforms such as the FA-400 offshore patrol vessel exemplify this model, offering customers a modular, high-performance platform integrated with advanced weapons, sensors, navigation, and decoy systems. Complementing new build programmes, ADSB continues to deliver advanced refit and sustainment solutions, including recent waterjet refitting work for the Kuwait Coast Guard in partnership with Kongsberg Maritime.

ADSB’s focus remains firmly on capability delivery rather than commemoration. Continued development of proprietary platforms, sustained investment in local expertise, and a growing regional and international order book reflect the confidence placed in ADSB as an end-to-end producer of advanced naval vessels. In doing so, the company continues to strengthen the UAE’s position as a regional hub for sovereign naval shipbuilding and maritime defence capability.