San Fernando (Cádiz). The Navantia shipyard in San Fernando launched on June 18 afternoon the sixth corvette built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), named HMS ALMADINAH. This vessel, the first of the second contract signed between the Ministry of Defence of Saudi Arabia and Navantia, touched the water at 6:50 pm.
The ceremony was attended by a broad institutional and business representation, who were welcomed by Navantia’s Chairman, Ricardo Domínguez. Following the opening of the event, verses from the Qur’an were recited, after which the speeches took place. The first to address the audience was Alberto Cervantes, Director of the Corvette and Maritime Action Vessels Business Unit, who extended a welcome to all attendees.
Subsequently, the Director of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Saleh Al Khathami, on behalf of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman AL-Ghuraybi, stated that “we celebrate together a significant milestone in the second batch of ALSARAWAT Project, the launching of HMS ALMADINAH”. “On this special occasion, RSNF would like to express its sincere appreciation to Navantia’s longstanding commitment and outstanding efforts throughout the project and to the valuable support provided be the Spanish Navy throughout this important endeavour. Today the sea welcomes (HMS ALMADINAH) and tomorrow she will contribute to safeguarding the Kingdom’s maritime interests and supporting regional and internation stability”.
Navantia’s Chairman, Ricardo Domínguez, highlighted the collaboration among all those who have made possible that the Avante 2200 programme meets the most demanding deadlines and requirements.
“We are proud that, throughout both series of corvettes, all vessels have been delivered on time, within budget and in full alignment with our localisation commitments to the Kingdom, especially with GAMI. Over the years, Navantia has proved to be a reliable and trusted partner of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Ministry of Defence. We remain committed to supporting their future ambitions — including frigates, minehunters, and submarines — in a spirit of friendship and long-term cooperation,” he said.
These this second series is comprised of three corvettes, the last of which will be delivered in 2029. The first one will be commissioned in Spain, while the second and third will be completed in Saudi Arabia with the installation, integration, and testing of the combat system, as was the case for the fourth and fifth units of the previous contract.
The contract includes an Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) package and crew training, as well as an operational evaluation period by the Spanish Navy at Rota Naval Base, where Navantia will provide support services.
Avante 2200
This is the second series corvettes for Saudi Arabia built by Navantia. The design is based on Navantia’s AVANTE 2200 model — a multi-purpose platform conceived for maritime surveillance and traffic control, search and rescue, and assistance to other ships, among other missions. The vessels also provide significant capabilities for the defence of strategic assets and intelligence, as well as anti-submarine, anti-air, anti-surface and electronic warfare.
The corvettes feature a state-of-the-art design and maximise Navantia’s contribution through the integration of in-house solutions, including the HAZEM combat system (via the SAMINavantia joint venture), the HERMESYS integrated communications system, the DORNA fire-control director, the Integrated Platform Control System and the MINERVA integrated bridge. The vessels also incorporate propulsion engines under MTU license, diesel generator sets and reduction gearboxes under Schelde license. Navantia’s Repairs Business Unit will further support the programme through work carried out during the corvettes’ dry dockings in San Fernando.
