Avante 2200 Al Jubail corvette starts its sea trials.

According to a press release published by Navantia on September 7, 2021, the ship NB 546 AL-JUBAIL, the first of five corvettes that Navantia builds for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), has begun its sea trials in the waters of the Bay of Cádiz in order to check the correct operation of all its systems
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Avante 2200 Al Jubail corvette for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (Picture source: Twitter account of 101Naira)

The trials last a total of two months, divided into two different periods. The current trial period will last about two weeks.

Staffed by Navantia, partner Industries, Lloyds Register of Shipping and major equipment supplier companies. Likewise, the RSNF and members of the Spanish Navy participate on behalf of the client.

Once this period is over, AL-JUBAIL will have its combat system installed, prior to delivery of the ship. Launched in July 2020, delivery to the end customer is expected to occur within five months.

This program, whose last vessel must be delivered in 2024, includes, in addition to construction, Life Cycle Support for five years, from the delivery of the first vessel, with an option for another five years.

On the other hand, the contract also includes the supply of several services such as, Integrated Logistic Support, Operational and Maintenance Training, Supply of Training and Education Centers for the Combat System and Platform Control System of the ships, the Life Cycle Support previously mentioned, and the systems for the maintenance of the ships in the Jeddah Naval Base. The training of the crews is already taking place in the recently inaugurated Navantia Training Centre (NTC).

The Al Jubail-class is based on the design of the Avante 2200 which is designed to conduct anti-surface warfare (ASuW), electronic warfare, maritime protection, intelligence gathering, search and rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid and marine pollution control, as well as combating smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration.

The Al Jubail-class corvette is powered by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system that includes four MTU 12V-1163-TB93 rated at 4,440 kW (5,950 hp) each driving two shafts with Wärtsilä 5C11 CP propeller. The ship can reach a maximum speed of 24 knots (44 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h).

Al Jubail-class corvette has a length of 99 m, a beam of 13.6 m, a beam of 14 m, and a displacement of 2,419 tons. The ship has a complement of 92 sailors including the crew and additional personnel

The Al Jubail-class corvette is armed with one Oto Melara 76 mm naval gun, one Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm Naval Revolver Gun System, and two 12.7 mm machine guns. She has a flight deck and a hangar able to accommodate one naval helicopter.