The Abu Dhabi class comprises one corvette of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy and is to be used primarily for anti-submarine warfare in addition to patrol and maritime reconnaissance tasks.

Due to the heightened threat situation in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, the United Arab Emirates Navy is expanding its capabilities to operate away from coastal waters.

[1][2] The main task of the Abu Dhabi class will be patrol service, maritime surveillance, reconnaissance and engagement of sea and land targets in national and international operations.

The hull of the namesake of the class, the Abu Dhabi, was built by Fincantieri at the shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genoa) and then transferred by pontoon to Muggiano (La Spezia) for outfitting.

[citation needed] The ship was christened on 15 February 2011, the same day as the keel-laying ceremony for the first Falaj 2-class patrol vessel and the first metal cutting for the second boat of the same class.