According to information published by Navantia on December 1, 2022, the Saudi Ministry of Defense and GAMI sign a memorandum of understanding with the Spanish company Navantia to build combat ships for the RSNF.
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Launching ceremony of the fourth Al Jubail class corvette Jazan. (Picture source: Navantia)
With the presence and patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, and Her Excellency Mrs. Reyes Maroto Illera, Minister of Industry of Spain, the Ministry of Defense and the General Authority for Military Industries signed a memorandum of understanding with the Spanish company Navantia to acquire and build a number of multi-mission combat ships for the Royal Saudi Naval Force.
The memorandum was signed by His Excellency the Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs, Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Bayari, and from GAMI, Eng. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of the Authority, and from the side of the Spanish company, Navantia the CEO and Chairman Mr. Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero.
The MoU aims to raise the level of readiness of the RSNF to enhance maritime security in the region, protect the vital and strategic interests of the Kingdom, and support the strategic, operational, and tactical goals of the MoD.
In line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the MoU aims to promote the localization of up to 100% in the field of naval shipbuilding, integration of combat systems and ship maintenance.
It will also concentrate on the integration of combat systems into new ships, systems design and engineering, hardware design, software development, testing, verification systems, prototyping and simulation, logistical support, and training program design.
On this occasion, HE Dr. Khaled Al-Bayari, confirmed that this MoU with the Spanish company comes in accordance with the directives of HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, with the objective of raising the readiness of the armed forces, the sustainability of systems, and the localization of military industries, and maximizing the use of local content.
HE added that this event is of great importance to the Ministry of Defense and a milestone in our cooperation with Navantia company, as it intends to boost the RSNF’s naval capabilities, improving joint operations among all security and military agencies, and developing a sustainable local military industries sector, while increasing transparency with spending efficiency
HE added that the MoU comes under the guidance of the wise leadership to strengthen the Kingdom’s global position in the military industries sector, especially through its strategic geographical location that connects three continents, which makes it the ideal destination for investment in this sector.
History of the relationship between Navantia and Saudi Arabia
In July 2018 it was announced that Navantia had signed an agreement with the Royal Saudi Navy for the production of five Avante 2000 corvettes with the last to be delivered by 2022 at a cost of approximately 2 billion Euros.
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia signed a joint-venture agreement with state-owned Saudia Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) to build five corvettes based on Avante 2000 for Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF).
Under the agreement, the last vessel must be delivered in 2024, including construction, Life Cycle Support for five years, with an option for another five years. The RSNF variant is called Avante 2200.
