Lockheed Martin to build four warships for Saudi Arabia

US defence firm Lockheed Martin has been awarded a US$1.96 billion contract to design and build four new warships for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

The vessels will be designated as Multi-Mission Surface Combatants and will be based on the Freedom-class littoral combat ships (LCS) that Lockheed Martin is building for the US Navy.

Each vessel will have a displacement of approximately 4,000 tonnes, a crew of 100, two Rolls Royce MT30 gas turbines, and two Colt-Pielstick diesel engines. Armament will consist of Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes.

Construction will take place at Fincantieri Marinette Marine with the first vessel expected to be delivered to Saudi Arabia in 2023.