Saudi Arabia orders additional corvettes from Spanish builder
The Saudi Arabia government, through the Ministry of Defence, has entered into an agreement with Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia for the supply of three additional Avante 2200 corvettes, identical to the units already in service for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
Construction of the first unit will begin this year and the last vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028. Navantia will be responsible for the delivery of the first unit in Spain and will finaliae the second and third units in Saudi Arabia for the installation, integration and trials of the Hazem Combat System to be done by SAMINavantia, similar to the works carried out on the fourth and fifth units of the first contract.
SAMINavantia will supply the complete combat system of the three corvettes.
The contract also includes a comprehensive training plan for more than 100 Saudi engineers and the manufacturing of blocks for the third corvette in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Navantia will transfer the Intellectual Property Rights of the Avante 2200 design to GAMI, enabling the design’s utilisation for the manufacturing of future corvettes for Saudi Arabia, as well as for potential export markets.
Navantia will supply an integrated logistical support package, the training of the crews, and an operational training by the Spanish Navy at Rota naval base in Spain, where Navantia will provide support services to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces during such training.
This second batch series of corvettes for Saudi Arabia will be similar to the first batch, with a design based on Navantia’s Avante 2200 model, which is a multipurpose vessel specially designed for patrolling and monitoring of the exclusive economic zone, maritime traffic surveillance and control missions, search and rescue missions and assistance to other vessels, among others. In addition, the vessels will have a capacity for the defence of strategic assets, intelligence, and anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, anti-surface and electronic warfare capabilities.
