TSAMTO, September 9. On September 7, the Spanish company Navantia announced the start of sea trials of the lead of five Avante-2200 class corvettes ordered for the Saudi Arabian Navy.
The ship (828) "El Jubail" is undergoing sea trials in the waters of the Gulf of Cadiz in order to verify the platform and compliance of various systems with the requirements of the contract.
The tests before delivery to the customer will last a total of two months. They are divided into two stages. The current stage of testing will last about two weeks. Navantia, partner companies, Lloyds Register of Shipping, major equipment suppliers, representatives of the Saudi Arabian and Spanish Navies are participating in the tests. After this period, the ship will be equipped with a combat system and will undergo additional tests. It is assumed that the delivery of the corvette to the customer will be made approximately in five months.
As reported by TSAMTO, in July 2018, Navantia announced the signing of a contract with the government of Saudi Arabia for the construction of five corvettes under the ALSARAWAT project, the cost of which is 1.8 billion rubles. euro ($2.1 billion). The agreement entered into force in November 2018. The construction of the corvettes is based on the Avante-2200 project, adapted to the requirements of the Saudi Arabian Navy.
As part of the agreement, Navantia also formed a joint venture in Saudi Arabia with the Saudi state-owned company SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries). It will offer integrated Navantia systems and technologically advanced solutions to the Saudi Arabian market. With the support of Navantia, SAMI intends to develop a national combat control system under the designation Hazem.
Most of the work on the construction of the ships will be carried out in Spain. Steel cutting for the lead corvette, "El-Jubail", began in January 2019, the keel was laid in October 2019, and the launch took place in July 2020.
Currently, all five ships are at various stages of construction, including (828) "Al-Jubail", (830) "Al-Diriyah" (Al Diriyah), (832) "Hail" (Hail), (834) "Jazan" (Jazan) and (836) "Unayza" (Unayzah).
The last ship should be delivered to the customer in 2024. In accordance with the terms of the deal, the completion of the last two ships will be completed in Saudi Arabia, where, in particular, the CATIZ combat control system of Navantia will be installed and tested. In addition, Navantia will be responsible for the maintenance of the ships for five years from the date of delivery of the first corvette. The option provides for the extension of maintenance work for another five years.
