Saudi Arabia has signed a contract with Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia to construct three more Avante 2200 corvettes.
This follows a previous agreement for five vessels of the same class, initiated in 2022 and concluded in March.
Under the new pact, the first corvette will be built in Spain, while the second and third will be constructed in Saudi Arabia.
The contract includes logistics support, operational evaluation, combat system testing, and training for Saudi engineers.
Construction is expected to begin this year, with the delivery scheduled for completion by 2028.
Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari stated that the initiative aligns with Riyadh’s efforts to develop an advanced naval industrial base and promote the localization of defense industries, according to Arab News.
Avante 2200 Corvette
The Avante 2200 is a multipurpose vessel designed for patrol and combat missions.
It has a maximum speed of 25 knots (28.8 miles/46.3 kilometers per hour) and can accommodate up to 111 personnel.
The vessels will feature various systems for intelligence, anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, anti-surface, and electronic warfare operations.
Each corvette can fit two surface-to-air missile and surface-to-surface missile double launcher systems, as well as a vertical launch system with eight cells.
Additionally, the vessels will integrate the HAZEM combat system, developed through the Spanish-Saudi SAMINavantia joint venture.