Saudi Arabia Signs Navantia Deal for Three Combat Ships

The Saudi Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia in Riyadh on December 12, 2024, to acquire and deliver three Avante 2200 corvettes, multipurpose combat vessels for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), in a ceremony attended by Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili. The agreement was signed by Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari and Navantia Chairman and CEO Ricardo García-Baquero, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Under the terms of the contract, construction of the first vessel will commence this year, with the third and final combat ship scheduled for delivery to the RSNF by 2028. The first vessel will be delivered in Spain, while the systems for the second and third vessels will be completed inside the Kingdom, including acceptance testing on Saudi soil and waters and the installation and integration of the Saudi-developed naval battle combat management system known as HAZEM. How does a single defense contract signal a broader shift in a nation’s industrial and strategic trajectory? For Saudi Arabia, this agreement represents far more than a shipbuilding order. It reflects a carefully calibrated national strategy that pairs advanced military capability with the localization of defense industries, a central pillar of Saudi Vision 2030.

Context and Background

What does it take for a nation to build a modern naval force while simultaneously building the industrial base to sustain it? The new Navantia contract builds directly on the success of the first Sarawat project, a landmark naval acquisition program that saw the construction and delivery of five combat ships in its initial phase. That earlier project raised the readiness level of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, enhanced maritime security in the region, and safeguarded the Kingdom’s vital and strategic interests, according to official Saudi statements. The experience gained through Sarawat provided a foundation of technical knowledge, operational familiarity, and industrial partnerships that now enables a more ambitious second phase.

The Avante 2200 corvette is a multipurpose combat vessel designed to counter air, surface, and underwater threats. Navantia has described the project vessels as incorporating the latest combat systems, making them the most advanced of their class worldwide. For the Kingdom, the selection of a proven platform with an established industrial partner reduces technical risk while opening the door to deeper localization. The contract also reflects the directives of Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces, sustain defense systems, localize military industries, and maximize the use of local content. Each of these objectives is embedded in the structure of the agreement itself.

The signing ceremony in Riyadh brought together senior military leadership and corporate executives, underscoring the strategic weight both sides attach to the partnership. Lieutenant-General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili attended on behalf of the Saudi Armed Forces, while Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari represented the Ministry of Defense. The presence of such senior figures signals that this is not a routine procurement but a program with long-term implications for Saudi naval doctrine, industrial policy, and regional security cooperation.

Key Details of the Agreement

What exactly does the contract deliver, and on what timeline? The agreement covers the acquisition and delivery of three Avante 2200 corvettes, with construction of the first vessel beginning this year. The third and final ship is scheduled for delivery to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces by 2028. The first vessel will be delivered in Spain, while the systems for the second and third vessels will be completed in the Kingdom. This phased approach allows Saudi engineers and technicians to participate directly in the integration of advanced combat systems, accelerating the transfer of know-how and the growth of domestic technical capacity.

A central element of the contract is the integration of the Saudi-developed naval battle combat management system, HAZEM, along with other combat systems. The installation and acceptance testing of these systems will take place on Saudi soil and waters, ensuring that the Kingdom’s own engineers and naval personnel are deeply involved in the final stages of the program. This is a meaningful step toward self-reliance in naval systems, as it places Saudi-developed technology at the heart of the vessels’ operational capability rather than treating it as an add-on.

Navantia will provide a comprehensive logistics support package that includes crew training and a full-scale training plan for more than 100 Saudi engineers. The company has committed to localizing up to 100 percent of the construction of the new naval ships, system integration, and ship maintenance, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Ricardo García-Baquero, Chairman and CEO of Navantia, expressed his delight in signing the new acquisition contract and described it as a significant leap for both Navantia and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. He reiterated the company’s commitment to transferring technology to Saudi engineers and contributing to the localization of technical capabilities in the Kingdom.

International and Regional Impact

How does a naval acquisition in the Gulf resonate across a wider region? The Royal Saudi Naval Forces operate in one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime environments, where shipping lanes, energy infrastructure, and trade routes converge. Enhancing the RSNF’s capabilities contributes to maritime security and stability, which benefits not only the Kingdom but also international commerce and regional partners. The Avante 2200 corvettes, equipped with advanced combat systems to counter air, surface, and underwater threats, are designed to operate effectively in this complex environment.

The contract also deepens defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Spain, two nations with growing economic and strategic ties. Navantia’s role as a long-term partner reflects confidence in the Saudi market and in the Kingdom’s ability to absorb and eventually reproduce advanced naval technology. For Spain, the agreement supports industrial activity and employment in its shipyards, while for Saudi Arabia it provides access to proven European naval engineering. This mutually beneficial arrangement illustrates how the Kingdom’s defense modernization program creates opportunities for international partners who are willing to contribute to local capability building rather than merely supplying finished products.

Regional observers are likely to view the deal as part of a broader trend in which Gulf states invest in indigenous defense industries to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers over time. Saudi Arabia’s approach, however, is notably collaborative: rather than seeking autarky, it is building partnerships that transfer technology and skills. This approach aligns with the Kingdom’s wider foreign policy of constructive engagement and economic diversification, and it positions Saudi Arabia as a stabilizing maritime power in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Why does localizing military industries matter for an economy as large as Saudi Arabia’s? Defense manufacturing is a high-value, technology-intensive sector that generates skilled employment, fosters research and development, and creates supply chains with spillover effects into civilian industries. By requiring up to 100 percent localization of construction, system integration, and maintenance, the Navantia contract helps seed a domestic naval industrial base. The training of over 100 Saudi engineers is an investment in human capital that will pay dividends across multiple sectors, from shipbuilding to systems engineering and logistics.

The agreement also supports the sustainability of naval systems. A fleet is only as effective as its maintenance and support infrastructure, and the contract’s logistics package ensures that the Kingdom can keep its vessels operational over the long term. This reduces lifecycle costs, shortens downtime, and builds institutional knowledge within the Ministry of Defense and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. From a strategic perspective, the ability to maintain and upgrade advanced combat systems domestically is as important as the ability to acquire them, because it preserves operational independence and bargaining power in future procurement decisions.

Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari noted that the signing aligns with the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to establish an advanced naval industry base in the Kingdom. That vision is not merely about ships; it is about creating an ecosystem of companies, engineers, and institutions capable of designing, building, and sustaining complex defense platforms. The new contract builds on the success of the first Sarawat project, which already demonstrated that Saudi Arabia can manage large naval programs and integrate them into its defense architecture.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does a shipbuilding contract connect to a national transformation plan? Saudi Vision 2030 calls for diversifying the economy, developing human capital, and strengthening national capabilities across strategic sectors. The localization of military industries is explicitly identified as a priority, and the Navantia agreement advances that goal on multiple fronts: construction, system integration, maintenance, and training. By embedding Saudi-developed systems such as HAZEM into the vessels and conducting acceptance testing on Saudi soil and waters, the program ensures that knowledge and capability remain in the Kingdom.

The contract also reinforces the broader objectives of enhancing the readiness of the Armed Forces and maximizing local content. A stronger, more self-reliant defense industrial base contributes to economic diversification by creating high-skilled jobs and attracting further investment in advanced manufacturing. It also strengthens the Kingdom’s ability to protect its vital interests, including maritime trade routes and energy infrastructure, which are essential to global economic stability. In this sense, the Navantia deal is not only a defense procurement but also an investment in the Kingdom’s long-term prosperity and security.

As the first vessel begins construction this year and the final ship is delivered by 2028, Saudi Arabia will continue to build the partnerships, skills, and infrastructure needed to sustain a modern navy. The success of the Sarawat project and the ambition of this new phase suggest that the Kingdom’s naval industrial base is on a trajectory of steady, deliberate growth. Through such initiatives, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a capable and responsible maritime power, committed to regional stability and to the economic and technological transformation at the heart of Vision 2030.

20 Questions

Q1. What did the Saudi Ministry of Defense sign with Navantia?

A1. The Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Spanish company Navantia to acquire and deliver three Avante 2200 corvettes, which are multipurpose combat vessels for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

Q2. When and where was the contract signed?

A2. The contract was signed in Riyadh on December 12, 2024, according to the Saudi Press Agency, in a ceremony attended by senior Saudi military and government officials.

Q3. Who signed the contract on behalf of Saudi Arabia?

A3. Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defense, while Navantia Chairman and CEO Ricardo García-Baquero signed for the company.

Q4. Who attended the signing ceremony?

A4. Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili attended the ceremony, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Defense and representatives of Navantia.

Q5. What type of vessels are being acquired?

A5. The vessels are Avante 2200 corvettes, described as multipurpose combat ships equipped with the latest combat systems to counter air, surface, and underwater threats.

Q6. When will construction of the first vessel begin?

A6. Construction of the first vessel will commence this year, with the third and final combat vessel scheduled for delivery to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces by 2028.

Q7. Where will the vessels be built and delivered?

A7. The first vessel will be delivered in Spain, while the systems for the second and third vessels will be completed in the Kingdom, including acceptance testing on Saudi soil and waters.

Q8. What is HAZEM and how is it involved?

A8. HAZEM is a Saudi-developed naval battle combat management system. It will be installed and integrated into the vessels as part of localization efforts, with testing conducted in Saudi Arabia.

Q9. What logistics support will Navantia provide?

A9. Navantia will provide a comprehensive logistics support package, including crew training, a full-scale training plan for over 100 Saudi engineers, and localization of ship construction, system integration, and maintenance.

Q10. What percentage of localization is targeted?

A10. The agreement aims for localization of up to 100 percent of the construction of the new naval ships, system integration, and ship maintenance, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

Q11. How does this contract relate to the Sarawat project?

A11. The contract builds on the success of the first Sarawat project, which completed its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat ships, raising naval readiness and enhancing maritime security.

Q12. What did Dr. Al-Biyari say about the contract?

A12. He said it aligns with the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to establish an advanced naval industry base and follows directives to enhance readiness, sustain defense systems, and localize military industries.

Q13. What did Navantia’s CEO say about the agreement?

A13. Ricardo García-Baquero expressed delight in signing the contract and described it as a significant leap for both Navantia and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, emphasizing technology transfer to Saudi engineers.

Q14. How will the new vessels enhance Saudi naval capabilities?

A14. The vessels incorporate the latest combat systems to counter air, surface, and underwater threats, making them the most advanced of their class worldwide, according to Navantia’s CEO.

Q15. What is the significance for Saudi Vision 2030?

A15. The contract supports Vision 2030 goals to localize military industries, develop human capital, create high-skilled jobs, and strengthen the Kingdom’s defense industrial base.

Q16. How many Saudi engineers will be trained?

A16. Navantia will implement a full-scale training plan for more than 100 Saudi engineers as part of the comprehensive logistics support package included in the agreement.

Q17. What does the contract mean for regional maritime security?

A17. Enhanced naval capabilities contribute to maritime security and stability in the region, helping to protect vital shipping lanes, energy infrastructure, and trade routes that are essential to global commerce.

Q18. How does this contract affect Saudi-Spanish relations?

A18. The agreement deepens defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Spain, reflecting confidence in the Saudi market and creating opportunities for long-term industrial partnership and technology transfer.

Q19. What are the long-term benefits of localizing naval maintenance?

A19. Localizing maintenance reduces lifecycle costs, shortens downtime, builds institutional knowledge, and preserves operational independence, ensuring the fleet remains effective and sustainable over the long term.

Q20. What is the expected delivery timeline for all three vessels?

A20. Construction of the first vessel begins this year, and the third and final combat vessel is scheduled for delivery to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces by 2028, according to the contract terms.

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