Navantia Unveils the Latest Addition to Saudi Arabia’s Naval Fleet: The Third Corvette!
On Saturday, Navantia unveiled the third of the five corvettes constructed for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), designated HAIL as a homage to this city in northern Saudi Arabia.
The launch occurred at 16:15 local time, the most optimal moment considering the tides and wind conditions. Given the weather predictions for the upcoming days, which forecast strong winds in the vicinity, Navantia opted to cancel the launch ceremony originally planned for Tuesday, March 30th.
Instead, the Navantia shipyard in San Fernando conducted the launch as a working event. Present at the launch were Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, Chief Operations Officer, and José Antonio Rodríguez Poch, director of Navantia Bahía de Cádiz shipyards, along with Captain Abdullah Alsheri, Program Officer Avante 2200, representing His Excellency Vice-Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
The corvette gracefully entered the water after gliding down the slipway, and its construction will persist afloat until its delivery to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces in December 2022. Both the Saudi Arabian and Spanish national anthems were played during the event.
The HAIL corvette is the third of five vessels being developed by Navantia under the Avante 2200 program. It measures 104 meters in length, has a beam of 14 meters, and is designed to accommodate a total of 102 individuals, including crew and passengers. It can attain a maximum velocity of 27 knots and is equipped to carry supplies onboard for up to 21 days.
The design of these corvettes embodies the latest advancements, maximizing Navantia’s involvement by integrating its proprietary technologies, such as the CATIZ Combat System, the HERMESYS Integrated Communications System, DORNA Firing Direction, Integrated Platform Control System, and MINERVA Integrated Bridge, alongside other systems developed by Navantia under license, including MTU Engines and RENK Reduction Gearboxes.
This contract, which became effective in November 2018, augments Navantia’s immediate future and benefits all of the company’s shipyards and its auxiliary industries, particularly throughout the Bay of Cadiz.
Specifically, it is anticipated to generate a total workload of approximately seven million hours, equivalent to 6,000 jobs annually over five years. More than 1,100 will be Navantia employees, while over 1,800 will be from auxiliary industries, and an additional 3,000 will be indirect employees from various suppliers. More than 100 auxiliary firms will participate in this initiative.
This program, with the final vessel scheduled for delivery in 2024, encompasses not only construction but also Life Cycle Support for five years from the delivery of the first vessel, with an option for an additional five years.
Moreover, the contract encompasses the provision of various services, including Integrated Logistic Support, Operational and Maintenance Training, Supply of Training and Education Centers for the Combat System and Platform Control System for the vessels, Life Cycle Support, and maintenance systems at the Jeddah Naval Base.
The Spanish shipbuilder NAVANTIA stands as a global leader in the design, construction, and integration of cutting-edge warships for the Spanish Navy, establishing it as a strategic entity for both national and international markets. Its endeavors include the design and fabrication of Integrated Platform Management Systems, Fire Control Systems, Command and Control systems, Propulsion Plants, and through-life support for all its offerings. NAVANTIA has also made strides in diversification, emerging as a significant player in the offshore wind power sector. Navantia is part of the Spanish state holding SEPI, which comprises 15 companies employing over 78,000 individuals.
