Second Saudi corvette launched by Navantia
Programme to deliver new naval vessel to Saudi Arabia continues apace
The second of five Avante 2200 corvettes being built by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces was launched at the San Fernando site in mid-November.
Named Al Diriyah, the corvette is 104m long, has a beam of 14m and will be able to accommodate 102 personnel including an embarked air element. The vessel’s maximum speed is 27kt and has an operational endurance of 21 days.
The class will feature the CATIZ combat management system, which will be implemented through a joint venture agreement between Navantia and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). Navantia will transfer the Catiz capability in full to SAMI which could then be marketed to the wider Middle East region.
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