French shipbuilder CMN has been awarded €250-million contract to start construction of three FS56 patrol boats for the Royal Saudi Navy, French La Tribune reported.

The vessels to be delivered are based on the company’s Combattante FS56 fast attack craft. According to company specifications, the vessels are 56 meters in length and capable of reaching speeds of up to 38 knots. The La Tribune report indicated the vessels could be armed with MBDA’s Simbad-RC short-range surface-to-air system but the contract for the systems is yet to be signed.

Initially, these three patrol boats were to equip the Lebanese navy under the tripartite Donas contract signed in 2014 between Saudi Arabia and French military exports agency ODAS, on behalf of Lebanon. In disagreement with Beirut, Ryad finally decided to deliver to his army the materials ordered under the Donas contract, now called  SFMC (Saudi-French Military Contract).