Saudi Arabia inks deal with Spain to advance shipbuilding localisation
Pictured is the second Avante 2200-derived corvette for Saudi Arabia, Al Diriyah. (Photo: Navantia)
A deal with the Spanish shipbuilder is set to support Saudi Arabia’s goal of fully localising critical shipbuilding skills.
The Saudi Arabian MoD and General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) have signed an MoU with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to acquire and build multi-mission combat ships. No indication was given as to whether these would be based on an existing design.
The deal seeks to improve the readiness of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and support the Kingdom’s strategic goal to fully localise shipbuilding, integration of combat systems and ship maintenance.
The MoU will also focus on combat systems integration, systems design and engineering, hardware design, software development, testing, verification and other skills.
The agreement expands on Navantia’s existing relationship
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Avalon 2025: Kongsberg confirms its first Australian missile factory]()
Avalon 2025: Kongsberg confirms its first Australian missile factory
The deal, which has been planned since August 2024, is part of an ongoing attempt to bolster Australia’s defences against the potential of Chinese aggression.
-
![TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid]()
TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid
Four shipbuilders have been downselected to build the frigate replacement programme, and TKMS hopes the new deal will give it a geographical advantage.
-
![As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?]()
As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
