Location of the keel under another corvette for Saudi Arabia

On 8 May at the Navantia shipyard in San Fernando, the keel was held under the future HMS corvette Neom. It is the seventh corvette built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the second unit from the second tranche of the Sarawat program, based on the Avante 2200 project.

Neom joins the second series of Saudi corvettes

Location of the first corvette hull block Neom means entering a phase in which two units of the second series have already been created in parallel on the San Fernando slipway. Next to the future corvette HMS Neom a prototype is built Al-Madinah.

It is therefore not a single shipbuilding event, but part of a broader programme that combines the construction of ships in Spain with further strengthening the industrial competences of Saudi Arabia. Such a model of cooperation clearly shows the direction in which large ship contracts are changing today: the delivery of units is increasingly just one of the procurement elements.

Spanish shipyard and Saudi industrial share

The second batch includes three Avante-2200 corvettes. The first will be delivered by Navantia, while the next two will be completed in Saudi Arabia. There, work is provided in connection with the installation, integration and attempts of the combat system.

This is an important part of the contract, as it allows the recipient to develop its own technical facilities and prepare staff to operate increasingly complex warships. The programme also included crew training, integrated logistical support, operational evaluation with participation The Spanish Navy in Rot's base and preparing about a hundred Saudi engineers.

Avante 2200 – Corvette with ambitions of a larger ship

Avante 2200 corvettes have more than 2500 tons of buoyancy, 104 m long and 14 m wide. The four MTU 12V1163 TB93 diesel engines allow them to reach a speed of about 24 knots. The crew is 92, with 112 seats on board.

In practice, these units are not only intended for patrolling and maritime surveillance, but also for combating naval, air and underwater targets. Their weapons form anti-ship missiles directed MBDA MM40 Exocet Block 3C, Sylver A50 vertical launcher for MBDA VL MICA anti-aircraft missiles, 76 mm Leonardo automatic cannon Here is Melara Super Rapid and 35 mm artillery direct defense set Rheinmetall Millennium.

The capabilities to combat submarines on the future frigate are to complement two 324 mm three-tube torpedo tubes. The ships were also equipped with remote-controlled Nexter Narwhal stations, Lacroix Sylena Mk2 apparent targets launchers and hangar and landing ground for Lockheed board helicopter Martin MH-60R Seahawk. The main means of technical observation is the three-ordinated radar Leonardo Kronos Naval with a rotating AESA antenna.

Importance of the programme for the shipbuilding industry

For Navantii, the Saudi programme has a much broader dimension than the construction of subsequent hulls. The contract means approximately four million man-hours in the shipyards in Cadiz, thus supporting nearly 2,000 jobs. In the reality of the European shipbuilding industry, such orders are important not only for maintaining production but also for maintaining design competences, integration and service.

For Riyadh, Avante 2200 corvettes are another step in the expansion of naval forces. Saudi Arabia does not just buy ready ships. Together with them, it acquires training, technical support and part of the competence needed to independently maintain units in service.

Average size corvettes return to the game

Avante 2200 shows that corvettes of this size today occupy a place between classic patrol units and frigates. They do not replace large submarines, but give the Navy a tool for constant presence at sea, surveillance of important waters, and responding to threats to shipping and infrastructure.

This is particularly important for Saudi Arabia. Country located between the Red Sea and Persian Gulf needs ships capable of protecting approaches to ports, routes for transporting energy resources and coastal installations. Another Avante-2200 is therefore not just the next hull in the shipbuilding programme. It is an element of a consistent expansion of naval forces, which are to safeguard Riyadh's interests on two strategic waters.