Saudi Arabia inks deal with Spain to advance shipbuilding localisation
Pictured is the second Avante 2200-derived corvette for Saudi Arabia, Al Diriyah. (Photo: Navantia)
A deal with the Spanish shipbuilder is set to support Saudi Arabia’s goal of fully localising critical shipbuilding skills.
The Saudi Arabian MoD and General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) have signed an MoU with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to acquire and build multi-mission combat ships. No indication was given as to whether these would be based on an existing design.
The deal seeks to improve the readiness of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and support the Kingdom’s strategic goal to fully localise shipbuilding, integration of combat systems and ship maintenance.
The MoU will also focus on combat systems integration, systems design and engineering, hardware design, software development, testing, verification and other skills.
The agreement expands on Navantia’s existing relationship
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS]()
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
![US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters]()
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
