Adhafer-class (C28A)

The Adhafer-class corvette is a stealth-designed vessel built for the Algerian Navy by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. Algeria ordered three vessels of the class, with an option for three additional units. The lead ship, Adhafer, was launched in August 2014 and entered service in November 2015. The remaining two units, El Fateh and Ezzadjer, entered service in 2016. CSSC subsequently displayed a model of an updated variant of the design in late 2016, featuring active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar technology and revised weapon configurations.

The hull design incorporates radar-absorbing paint and a low-profile structure to minimize radar signature. Propulsion is provided by MTU diesel engines, which exhaust near the waterline rather than through a traditional funnel stack, reducing the vessel's infrared signature. The hull is fitted with bilge keels and fin stabilizers. The ship's combat system integrates a Chinese combat management system with Thales-designed radar systems, operator consoles, and datalinks.

The armament suite consists of a main gun housed in a reduced radar cross-section turret, short-range air defense missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedo launchers, and close-in weapon systems (CIWS) mounted on the hangar. Electronic warfare capabilities include an ESM system and decoy launchers that deploy chaff, launch anti-submarine rockets, or provide shore bombardment. Sensor systems comprise a multibeam surveillance radar, navigation radars, targeting and secondary air search radars, specialized fire-control radars, and a hull-mounted sonar.

The three completed vessels—Adhafer (920), El Fateh (921), and Ezzadjer (922)—are currently active within the Algerian Navy.