Saudi Navy Takes Delivery of 2nd Avante 2200 Corvette

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) took delivery of "Al Diriyah,” the second of five Avante 2200 class corvettes built by Navantia, in a ceremony held at the facilities of the Naval Base of La Carraca, in San Fernando (Cádiz).

The contract for the construction of five corvettes entered into force in November 2018. In addition to the corvette contract, Navantia agreed with SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries) to create a joint venture in Saudi Arabia.

AL-DIRIYAH has been delivered to the Royal Saudi Navy three years after its first cut of steel (May 2019). The corvette has a length of 104 meters, a beam of 14 and seating for a total of 102 people between crew and passengers.

The two corvettes handed over to Riyadh – Al Diriyah and Al Jubail – are based on the AVANTE 2200 design, adapted to the requirements of the RSNF.

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

It also includes the provision of various services, such as integrated logistics support, operational and maintenance training, provision of Education and Training Centres for the Combat System and Platform Control System of ships, Life Cycle Support, and ship maintenance systems at the Jeddah Naval Base.

Avante 2200-class corvettes come equipped with CATIZ combat system, HERMESYS integrated communications system, DORNA fire direction and an Integrated Control System. Platform and the MINERVA integrated bridge, together with other equipment developed by Navantia under license, such as MTU motors, RENK gearboxes.