Spanish shipbuilder Navantia launched another Avante 2200 corvette for the Royal Saudi Navy at its San Fernando shipyard on July 24.
Named Jazan, the ship is the fourth of five units Navantia is building for Saudi Arabia under a contract from July 2018. The contract also includes logistics support, operational and maintenance training, and life-cycle support at Jeddah Naval Base.
Jazan (pennant number 834) entered the water almost exactly a year after the first ship in the class, Al-Jubail, was launched on July 22, 2020. The second and third ships launched in November 2020 and March 2021, respectively.
Worth noting is that Jazan’s launch follows the graduation of first Saudi Naval Forces’ students in Spain earlier this month.
The five corvettes, which were initially scheduled to complete deliveries by 2023, are now expected to be delivered a year later than planned. Based on Navantia’s Avante design, they 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 armament that has been confirmed for the Saudi Arabian Navy configuration includes Oto Melara 76 mm guns and Oerlikon Millennium close-in weapon systems.
