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.
The ‘Keel Laying Ceremony’ of the two 50 m Guided Missile Fast Attack Crafts for Qatar’s Navy was held at Dearsan Shipyard on 23 December 2024, with the participation of the Qatar State Delegation led by Major General Abdullah Hassan Al Sulaiti, Commander of the Qatar State Navy.
DEARSAN, is a modern shipyard, which operates in İstanbul, Turkey. DEARSAN Shipyard has the ability to build 9 ships of various types at the same time with its 126 m long skid, 15.341 m2 closed ship building site, 15.870 m2 open area and 31.211m2 total area.
DEARSAN specializes in the design and construction of private military ships, with the integration of weapon systems, as well as in the construction of complex commercial ships such as tugboats, fuel/chemical tankers, fast passenger ferries. DEARSAN shipyard has proved its worldwide design, engineering, fabrication and installation capability with its facilities and experienced workforce.
DEARSAN Shipyard has NATO Secret Facility Security Certificate, NATIONAL Secret Facility Security Certificate, ISO 9001:2015 Quality Certificate, ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Certificate, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Certificate and SASAD Defense Industry Manufacturers Association Certificate.
Since DEARSAN Shipyard was established in 1980, it has undertaken the construction, fabrication, repair and modification of numerous ships. The construction of 16 “Tuzla” Class Patrol Boats needed by the Turkish Navy is being carried out by our shipyard in accordance with the delivery schedule determined.
In addition to the “Tuzla” Class Patrol Boats and derivatives, DEARSAN can design and build all of the following military ship types: Corvette Class Ships; Multipurpose Search and Rescue Ships; 12m, 15m and 17m Fast Intervention Boats; 27m, 33m, 42m Attack Boats; Armed Fast Patrol Boats; Hydrographic and Oceanographic Research Ship; Offshore Support Ship; Offshore Patrol Ship; Mine Hunting and Minesweeper, as well as Landing Craft.
