Spanish shipbuilder Navantia launched the second of five Avante 2200 corvettes for the Royal Saudi Navy at its San Fernando shipyard on November 14.
The launch of Al Diriyah (830), as the second unit will be named, comes less than four months after the launch of the first ship in the class, the Al-Jubail.
Al Diriyah honors the same-named city, which is the original home of the Saudi royal family.
The five corvettes, which were initially scheduled to complete deliveries by 2023, will be delivered a year later than planned, according to latest estimates. The ships are based on Navantia’s Avante design and will feature Catiz combat systems, Hermesys integrated communications, Dorna fire control systems, Minerva integrated bridges and engines and reduction gearboxes.
According to shipbuilder specifications, the design supports an 8-cell vertical launch system (VLS), surface-to-air missile launchers, a 76 mm main gun and torpedo launchers. The flight deck and hangar can accommodate a 10t-class helicopter.
The five-ship program is being delivered by SAMI Navantia Naval Industries (SAMINavantia), a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Navantia S.A. under a contract from July 2018. The contract also include logistics support, operational and maintenance training, and life-cycle support at Jeddah Naval Base.
