Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide follow-on support services for a fleet of five corvettes previously delivered to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
The agreement, which has a five-year duration, expands the life cycle support originally established since the commissioning of the first vessel in 2022.
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Under the new deal, Navantia will increase the number of technicians responsible for platform and combat system maintenance at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah.
The contract also includes the supply of spare parts for the five vessels.
As part of the agreement, Navantia and the Saudi Ministry of Defence have outlined a localisation plan.
This covers activities such as training, transfer of knowledge, and production of some spare parts within Saudi Arabia, the company stated.
Navantia said this arrangement “reflects Navantia’s compromise to continue with the development of the sustainment capabilities of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.”
The five corvettes are built on the AVANTE 2200 design, modified in line with Saudi Arabian requirements.
The AVANTE 2200 design, according to the company, is suited for high temperatures typical in the Gulf region.
Navantia originally secured the contract to construct the five corvettes in November 2018. The company launched the first unit in July 2020, subsequently delivering all five ships over a period of three years, with new launches every four months.
The initial programme encompassed integrated logistics support, operational and maintenance training, and the establishment of Training and Education Centres dedicated to the ships’ Combat System and Platform Control System.
Life Cycle Support and additional systems for ship maintenance at the Jeddah Naval Base were also included.
Following the delivery of the first set of vessels, an agreement was reached for an additional three corvettes in 2024, using the same design and specifications.
Last month, Navantia completed keel-laying of the seventh corvette for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces at its San Fernando shipyard in Spain.
