Kuwait’s Al Dorra Patrol Vessels to Get French SPYNEL Infrared Surveillance
According to The Defense Post, French defence contractor HGH has won a contract with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) to fit Kuwait’s eight Al Dorra offshore patrol vessels with SPYNEL 360-degree infrared surveillance paired with CYCLOPE software. The passive infrared imaging provides persistent, wide-area coverage without radiating a detectable radar signature.
- Programme: Kuwait Al Dorra — 8 patrol vessels
- Design: Falaj 3
- Builder: Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB)
- Sensor: HGH SPYNEL 360° IR + CYCLOPE
- Combat system: Leonardo integration
- Role: Maritime security, SAR, energy-infrastructure protection
Background: A Quiet Surveillance Race in the Gulf
Gulf waters are a theatre of rising drone and fast-boat threats, where maritime infrastructure and offshore energy platforms are critical assets. Passive infrared systems like SPYNEL provide 360-degree coverage without emitting radar, giving them an edge against low-signature threats that try to slip past active sensors.
The Al Dorra fleet is being built by ADSB to the Falaj 3 design. HGH sales director Cyril Marchebout said the firm will expand in the UAE through a regional support hub to serve customers locally.
The Details: A Chain of Contracts
The Al Dorra programme is taking shape through a series of major 2026 awards. In June 2026, Leonardo won a €320 million (about $370 million) contract for naval combat systems; in April 2026, Singapore’s ST Engineering secured roughly $467 million for platform systems. HGH’s infrared sensors will integrate with Leonardo’s Combat Management System.
Al Dorra Programme — Contract Snapshot
| Vessels | 8 offshore patrol vessels |
| HGH | SPYNEL 360° IR + CYCLOPE |
| Leonardo (Jun 2026) | €320M combat systems |
| ST Engineering (Apr 2026) | ~$467M platform systems |
| Integration | Leonardo Combat Management System |
Why It Matters
The choice of passive infrared surveillance underlines a broader shift: navies operating in contested littorals increasingly favour sensors that see without being seen. For a small but strategically located fleet, persistent 360-degree coverage is as valuable as firepower.
It also marks another win for a Franco-Italian supply chain in the Gulf, even as regional players and exporters — including Turkish sensor and shipbuilders — compete for the same maritime-security market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does SPYNEL work?
It uses passive infrared imaging for 360-degree coverage; because it emits no radar signal, it tracks ships, drones and threats without being detected.
Who builds the Al Dorra vessels?
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) is constructing eight vessels for Kuwait based on the Falaj 3 design.
What threats is it aimed at?
Small boats, unmanned aerial and surface vehicles, and threats to coastal and offshore infrastructure.
Bottom Line
The Al Dorra award shows Gulf maritime security tilting toward sensor-rich, low-emission solutions. A Franco-Italian supply chain is consolidating its position, but exporters worldwide continue to contest one of the region’s most active naval markets.
