Saudi Arabia and Spain Sign Agreement to Construct Three New Corvettes.

According to information published by the Saudi Gazette on October 29, 2024, Saudi Arabia and Spain have formalized an agreement to construct three new multi-mission combat corvette ships. The agreement, signed by Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Gharibi, Chief of Staff of the Saudi Naval Forces, and Lieutenant General Antonio Pinero Sanchez, Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, in Madrid, marks the next phase of the Sarawat Project—a Saudi initiative aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF).
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Royal Saudi Naval Forces Avante 2200 corvette Unayzah. (Picture source: Navantia)

The Avante 2200 corvettes, known in Saudi Arabia as the Al Jubail-class, represent a substantial milestone in the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) modernization program. Built by the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia under a €1.8 billion contract, these vessels align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives, promoting local defense industry capabilities through a partnership with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) to produce and maintain advanced naval technologies.

Each Avante 2200 corvette is a multi-role vessel spanning 104 meters in length, with a beam of 14 meters, and a displacement of approximately 2,470 tons. Equipped to handle various naval warfare tasks—anti-submarine (ASW), anti-air (AAW), and anti-surface warfare (ASuW)—the corvettes feature a Leonardo Super Rapid 76mm main gun, an eight-cell vertical launch system for surface-to-air missiles, and Rheinmetall's Millennium 35mm close-in weapon system.

The ships also carry torpedo launchers, anti-ship missiles, and 12.7mm machine guns, providing comprehensive defense capabilities across different operational environments. For aviation support, they include a helicopter deck capable of hosting 10-ton helicopters like the NH90, expanding their range for reconnaissance, rescue, and combat operations​.

The Al Jubail-class corvettes operate using a CODAD (Combined Diesel and Diesel) propulsion system, achieving speeds up to 27 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles. Their design emphasizes resilience in extreme temperatures and harsh marine conditions, making them suitable for the waters surrounding Saudi Arabia. They have an onboard capacity to sustain up to 102 personnel.

A key aspect of the project is its focus on technology transfer. Through the SAMI-Navantia partnership, local Saudi engineers and technicians receive training to handle corvette operations, maintenance, and lifecycle support, including advanced combat system testing and live-fire exercises. SAMI’s efforts under this partnership support Saudi Arabia's strategic aim to localize over half of its defense expenditure by 2030, thus boosting the nation's self-sufficiency in military manufacturing. SAMI Navantia, the joint venture, is further establishing a "Center of Excellence" in Riyadh to foster continued development and integration of the HAZEM combat system tailored to RSNF needs and potential regional exports.

Spain is one of Saudi Arabia’s primary defense suppliers, ranked as the fourth-largest military trade partner after the U.S., UK, and France. From 2015 to 2017, Spain exported over $900 million in military equipment to Saudi Arabia.