The first two ships QENS Barzan and Huwar were handed over in 1996 and the final two ships QENS Al Udeid and Al Deebel were delivered in 1998. The design is a derivative of the Vosper Thornycroft 56 metre patrol craft built for Oman and Kenya, with a redesigned internal arrangement and superstructure to provide a second deck at tank level. Modifications to the hull included increasing the freeboard amidships and flaring the topsides to widen the beam at the weatherdeck. The hull and superstructure design has incorporated features for reduction of radar cross section. Active roll-damping fin stabilisers have been added for operation in high sea states.
Tracking is supported by television, optional infrared camera tracking and laser rangefinder.
The system provides sector search with automatic target detection, projectile location and kill-assessment. With a range of from 4 to 70km, the Exocet missile has inertial cruise guidance, active radar homing, and a warhead of 165 kg. The cruise height of the missile is about 100 m and in the terminal sea-skimming phase the height is 5 to 8 m. The infrared guided Mistral has a range of 4 km. The warhead consisting of 1 kg of high explosive and loaded with 2 kg of tungsten balls is fitted with an impact and laser proximity fuse.