Navantia has launched HMS ALMADINAH, the sixth Avante 2200-class corvette built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the first vessel under a second procurement contract featuring the locally developed HAZEM combat management system.
The first ship under the second procurement contract signed with the Saudi Ministry of Defense has taken to the water, officially marking the start of the project’s second phase. This corvette is the sixth in the series to be equipped with the HAZEM system, developed through the SAMI‑Navantia joint venture.
Second Phase Details of the ALSARAWAT Project
Speaking on behalf of Vice Admiral Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al‑Ghuraybi, Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), Rear Admiral Saleh Al Khathami, Director of Naval Staff, provided technical and strategic insights during the ceremony:“We are marking a significant milestone in the second batch of the ALSARAWAT Project with the launch of HMS ALMADINAH. The RSNF extends its appreciation to Navantia for its commitment throughout the project and to the Spanish Navy for its operational support. HMS ALMADINAH will directly contribute to safeguarding the Kingdom’s maritime interests and bolstering regional and international security.”
Localisation Commitments and GAMI Collaboration
Navantia’s Chairman, Ricardo Domínguez, confirmed that production is proceeding strictly on schedule and within budget. Emphasising the localisation efforts undertaken with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), he stated: “We are proud to deliver all vessels in both corvette series on time and in full compliance with our localisation commitments, especially those made with GAMI. Navantia stands as a trusted technology partner for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, and we are determined to extend this long‑term cooperation to future frigate, mine countermeasure, and submarine programmes.”
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Delivery Timeline and Combat System Integration
Under the second procurement package, a total of three corvettes are to be built, with the final vessel scheduled for delivery in 2029. The lead ship, HMS ALMADINAH, will undergo its commissioning processes in Spain.
For the second and third ships of this contract, a different logistics approach will be followed—similar to that applied to the fourth and fifth vessels of the first batch. These ships will be directly delivered to Saudi Arabia for installation of combat systems, sensor integration, and acceptance trials, with final handover taking place there. The contract also includes an Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package, crew training, and operational evaluation assistance provided by the Spanish Navy at the Rota Naval Base.
Technical Capabilities of the AVANTE 2200 Platform
Built on Navantia’s multi‑role AVANTE 2200 design, these corvettes are equipped with sensors and weapon suites capable of conducting maritime surveillance, traffic control, and search‑and‑rescue missions, as well as electronic warfare (EW), anti‑submarine warfare (ASW), anti‑air warfare (AAW), and anti‑surface warfare (ASuW) operations.
The corvettes stand out for their high local content and advanced system architecture. At the heart of the command and control centre is the indigenous HAZEM combat management system, developed through the SAMI‑Navantia joint venture. Network management—both internal and external—is handled by the HERMESYS integrated communications system, while precise tracking and direction of weapon systems are managed by the DORNA fire‑control director. The state‑of‑the‑art platform architecture is completed by the Integrated Platform Control System and the MINERVA integrated bridge system.
For main and auxiliary components, the ships feature propulsion engines built under MTU licence, diesel generator sets under Schelde licence, and reduction gearboxes. Following construction, all technical support operations during docking and periodic maintenance periods at San Fernando will be carried out by Navantia’s Repair Business Unit.
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Source: C4Defence-Navantia
