The shipyard of Navantia San Fernando was the scene of a double event: the keel laying of the first corvette of this new series and the sheet metal cutting of the third unitThe ceremony, although of an internal nature, had the prominent presence of the vice admiral Mohammed Abdlrahman Alghuraybi, the highest representative of the RSNF, and the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Spain, Princess Haifa bint Abdulaziz Al-MogrinThey were received by the president of Navantia, Ricardo Dominguez, and the Director of Business of Corvettes and Maritime Action Vessels, Alberto Cervantes.
The corvette, which will bear the name of Al Madinah And it will be the shipyard's 571st construction, its keel was laid on slipway number 2. This symbolic act was followed by the signing of a commemorative plaque by Vice Admiral Alghuraybi at the 'José Antonio Rodríguez Poch' Flat Open Units Workshop (TUAP), which was subsequently welded.
Immediately afterwards, in the same workshop, the following was carried out: cutting the sheet metal of the third corvette, which means Navantia is now in full production of the three contracted units. This start of production of the third unit comes just over three months after the start of the second, demonstrating the dynamism of the project. The Saudi dignitaries signed the Shipyard's Book of Honor, highlighting the importance of this collaboration.
The delivery of the last of these three vessels is estimated to take place in 2028Navantia will be responsible for the delivery of the first corvette, while the second and third will be completed in Saudi Arabia, replicating the successful model of the previous contract, which included the installation, integration, and testing of the combat system in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement is not limited to shipbuilding. It includes a integrated logistics support package and a comprehensive program of training for Saudi crewsIn addition, Navantia will provide support services during a period of operational evaluation of the vessels at the Rota naval base. A crucial element is the training of 100 Saudi engineers, which will contribute to the transfer of knowledge and the development of local capabilities.
This contract represents a significant economic boost for the Bay of Cádiz, generating approximately four million hours of work and an impact of up to 2.000 jobs between direct, indirect and induced.
The corvettes, based on the renowned AVANTE 2200 model from Navantia, are state-of-the-art, versatile, and multifunctional vessels. They are designed for maritime surveillance and traffic control, search and rescue, and assistance to other vessels. They also incorporate advanced capabilities for the defense of strategic assets, intelligence, and anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, anti-surface, and electronic warfare.
The cutting-edge design maximizes the participation of Navantia's own products, including the HAZEM combat system (through the a joint venture SAMINavantia), the integrated communications system HERMESYS, DORNA fire control, the Integrated Platform Control System, the MINERVA integrated bridge, propulsion engines licensed by MTU, diesel generator sets and gearboxes licensed by Schelde. Navantia's Repairs business unit will also contribute to the program with work during the corvettes' grounding in San Fernando.
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