TSAMTO, February 4. As the resource reported Infodefensa.com With reference to its sources, the Spanish company Navantia on March 31 will hand over to the command of the Saudi Arabian Navy the lead corvette of the Avante-2200 class at the enterprise in San Fernando (Cadiz).
The ceremony will take place on the specified date in case there are no emergencies in the next two months.
Steel cutting for the lead corvette, El Jubail, began in January 2019, keel laying took place in October 2019, launching – in July 2020. Since September 2021, the ship has been undergoing sea trials, during which the corvette's compliance with the tactical and technical characteristics set out in the contract requirements was verified.
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 within the ALSARAWAT project, the cost of which is 1.8 billion. euro ($2.1 billion). The Agreement entered into force in November 2018. The corvettes are being built on the basis of 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 in the Saudi Arabian market. With the support of Navantia, the SAMI joint venture intends to develop a national combat control system under the designation Hazem.
Most of the work on the construction of ships is carried out in Spain. In addition to the "El Jubail", four more ships of the series are currently at various stages of construction, including (830) "Al Diriyah" (Al Diriyah), (832) "Hail" (Hail), (834) "Jizan" (Jazan) and (836) "Unayza" (Unayzah). The last corvette of the series was launched in December 2021.
The fifth and last corvette 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 carried out 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 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.
