The Government of Saudi Arabia will entrust Navantia and a Saudi shipyard with the design and construction of five multi-mission combat ships for the Royal Saudi Navy, in accordance with an agreement signed this Wednesday in Riyadh in the presence of the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto and the Saudi Defense Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and other Saudi authorities.
Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Bayari; the governor of the General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmad Al-Ohali, and the president of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will translate into a contract throughout 2023. Upon signing attended by the Saudi chief of staff, General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili; the commander of the Royal Saudi Navy, Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily and the Spanish ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Jorge Hevia.
This is the second order from Saudi Arabia to Navantia, which is building five corvettes for the Royal Saudi Navy in the Bay of Cádiz. On December 4, the delivery of the third, ‘Hail’, will take place in an act at the San Fernando shipyard, while the fourth and fifth will be delivered in Saudi Arabia.
The deal includes a localization and technology transfer (ToT) component in Saudi Arabia. The ships will be built jointly between Navantia, at the San Fernando shipyard, and a shipyard in Saudi Arabia. In addition, its combat system will be developed and supplied by the SAMINavantia joint venture in Saudi Arabia.
“The construction of the five Avante 2200 corvettes has been a qualitative leap for Navantia and the Royal Saudi Navy. Complying with this highly technological program within demanding deadlines has undoubtedly been a determining factor in renewing customer confidence. Now we are going a step further by transferring technology and knowledge to Saudi engineers”
President of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez
Ricardo Domínguez thanked the Spanish Government for its support and work on this project, which guarantees qualified work in the Bay of Cádiz and represents a further step in Navantia’s role as a designer and builder of high-tech ships. The program will support 7,500 skilled jobs in both countries.
