Saudi Navy HMS Jazan: Spanish shipbuilder Navantia Saturday launched the fourth corvette Jazan for Saudi Arab’s navy. The ship, which is the fourth in a total order of five was launched by Navantia San Fernando, is named as a tribute to city of Jazan located in Southwest of Saudi Arabia.
The fourth Avante 2200 class ship, known as Al-Sarawat class in Saudi Arabia, is a key acquisition programs that indicates the commitment of Saudi Naval Forces to achieve the state-of-the-art capabilities according to the Kingdom’s strategic Vision 2030.
Vice Admiral Fahad Al-Ghofaily, Commander of Saudi Arab Navy, said the launching of HMS JAZAN, the fourth corvette to be launched in just one year, is a significant accomplishment that amply demonstrates Navantia’s commitment for maintaining the program delivery.
He said the success of ALSARAWAT project would establish a solid foundation for strategic partnership with Navantia. He also thanked Spanish Navy for the strategic cooperation in the project.
“This corvette is an unequivocal demonstration of Spain’s industrial capability in the field of naval shipbuilding and of its strong commitment to technological innovation,” said Admiral Antonio Martorell Lacave, Head of Spanish Navy.
Admiral Lacave said this was for the first time when Spanish Navy was involved in such a project.
“A clear proof of this commitment, and of the steady progress of the program, is the effort made in the training of the crew of the first corvette,” said the top officer.
“A case in point have been the specialization courses in combat, operations, communications, navigation and deck, propulsion and electricity, as well as the training on tactical procedures which is currently underway at the fleet’s tactical simulator,” Admiral Lacave added.
HMS Jazan launch ceremony, San Fernando, Spain (24 July, 2021).
Navantia’s Avante 2200 Program
Corvette JAZAN is the fourth of five corvettes being built by Spain’s state owned shipbuilder Navantia under the Avante 2200 program.
The ship has a length of 104 meters, a beam of 14 and is capable of carrying a total of 102 people including crew and passengers.
According to the company, the design of the corvettes is of the latest generation, maximizing the participation of Navantia by incorporating its own products.
These include the CATIZ Combat System, the HERMESYS Integrated Communications System, the DORNA Firing Direction, the Integrated Platform Control System and the MINERVA Integrated Bridge, together with other equipment developed by Navantia under license, such as the MTU Engines or the RENK Reduction Gearboxes.
At the ceremony, Navantia’s Chairman Ricardo Dominguez stressed the company’s commitment with Avante 2200 program.
“You can count on Navantia as a reliable and trustworthy partner for the sustainment of these vessels over their lifetime and for future opportunities to come,” he said.
Navantia is also training the Royal Saudi Navy crew at its recently opened Navantia Training Centre (NTC), which is equipped with state-of-the-art technological capabilities.
Photo: Walid Abukhaled, CEO, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI).
In a message, Walid Abukhaled, CEO of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), said the launching of HMS JAZAN, the fourth out of five Avante 2200 corvettes, will reinforce the capabilities of the RSNF fleet.
Abukhaled said SAMI was dedicated to developing Saudi Arabia’s military industries to achieve self-sufficiency and the programme was consistent with the Public Investment Fund’s efforts through SAMI to localize cutting-edge technology and defense systems and build strategic economic partnerships.
“SAMI plays a pivotal role in supporting the localization of 50% of the Kingdom’s military spending and enhancing the local capabilities in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030,” he added.
Navantia NTC in San Fernando. Saudi Naval crew is receiving training at the NTC. (File)
Generating employment
Navantia said the contract, which came into force in November 2018, strengthens the immediate future of the company and benefits all the shipyards of the company and its auxiliary industry, especially the whole Bay of Cadiz.
Specifically, it means a global workload of around seven million hours, that is, 6,000 jobs during five years, said the company.
“Of these, more than 1,100 will be Navantia employees, more than 1,800, employees it the collaborators enterptrises of Navantia and more than 3,000, indirect employees generated by other suppliers. There will be more than 100 companies that will collaborate in this project,” said the San Fernando based shipbuilder.
This program, whose last vessel must be delivered in 2024, includes, in addition to construction, Life Cycle Support for five years, from the delivery of the first vessel, with an option for another five years.
The contract also includes the supply of several services – integrated logistic support, operational and maintenance training, supply of training and education centers for the combat system and platform control system of the ships, the life cycle support previously mentioned, and the systems for the maintenance of the ships in the Jeddah Naval Base.
