Navantia has launched the fourth of five corvettes ordered by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
On 24 July, the Al Jubail-class corvette Jazan took to the water at the San Fernando shipyard, Cadiz, witnessed by the Commander of the Royal Saudi Navy, Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily and the Admiral Chief of Staff of the Navy (AJEMA), Admiral General Antonio Martorell Lacave among other dignitaries.
The contract for the five corvettes was signed by the Government of Saudi Arabia on 12 July and construction of the first vessel began in January 2019 and was launched in July 2020. The five corvettes are named Al Jubail (828), Al Diriyah (830), Hail (832), Jazan (834), and finally Unayzah (presumably 836). The delivery of all five corvettes is due for completion by 2024.
These corvettes are based on Navantia’s Avante 2200 design. Displacing just over 2,400 tons, they are powered by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system that includes four MTU 12V-1163-TB93 rated at 4,440kW (5,950hp). Maximum speed is around 24 knots (44km/h) with a maximum cruise range up to 3,500 nautical miles at 18kts (33km/h).
Armament includes one Oto Melara 76mm main gun and one Oerlikon Millennium 35mm naval revolver gun system and machine guns. It has a flight deck with hanger for one 10-ton helicopter.
The SamiNavanti Combat Management System, Hazm, built as part of the SAMI Navantia role within the SAMI and Navantia Project Avanti 2200, unites an integrated communications system, the fire control system and the integrated platform management system.
by Andrew Drwiega
