The ANS Adhafer (920), an Adhafer-class corvette of the Algerian Navy, arrived at Portsmouth, United Kingdom, on 19 October 2025 and departed three days later on 22 October. This marked a rare visit by an Algerian warship to a British port.
Built in China, ANS Adhafer is the lead ship of the C28A (Adhafer) class and has been a mainstay of the Algerian Navy since commissioning in 2015. The class emerged from a 2012 contract between Algeria and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for three stealth corvettes: Adhafer (920), El Fateh (921), and Ezzadjer (922). The first ship was launched in 2014 and commissioned the following year.
The corvettes are 120 meters long, 14.4 meters wide, with a 3.87-meter draft and a full load displacement of around 3,000 tons. Propulsion is provided by four MTU 16V 1163 diesel engines connected to four shafts. The Mecmar exhaust system reduces thermal signature, while radar-absorbent coatings, a low-profile superstructure, and waterline exhausts minimize radar detectability. Maximum speed is 30 knots, with range and endurance comparable to medium-displacement frigates.
Sensors include the Thales Smart-S Mk2 3D radar, Chinese Type 364 air search radar, and two Kelvin Hughes SharpEye navigation radars. Fire control is managed by Type 345 and Type 347 radars, integrated into a CSTC Combat Management System compatible with Thales Tacticos consoles and NATO-standard data formats.
Armament includes a NG-16-1 76 mm naval gun, two 30 mm Type 730 CIWS, two quadruple C-802A anti-ship missile launchers, and an eight-cell FM90N/HQ-7 air-defense system. Anti-submarine warfare capabilities are provided by two triple 324 mm torpedo tubes and Type 726-4 decoy/anti-torpedo systems. The ship features a full-size hangar and flight deck, accommodating AW159 Wildcat helicopters.
Algeria signed a contract with Leonardo in 2025 for three AW159s, enhancing the corvette’s anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities with Compact FLASH sonar, MU90 torpedoes, and lightweight multirole missiles. The AW159 has a 777 km operational range and over four hours endurance.
The Adhafer class represents a hybrid approach combining Chinese shipbuilding with Western electronics and weaponry, reflecting Algeria’s efforts to modernize its naval forces. The UK visit underscores the country’s growing international naval engagements and marks a notable milestone in Algerian maritime diplomacy.
