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Saudi Arabia to Buy Three Combat Ships from Spain's Navantia

Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari and Navantia Chairman and CEO Ricardo García-Baquero signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides. SPA
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari and Navantia Chairman and CEO Ricardo García-Baquero signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides. SPA
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Saudi Arabia to Buy Three Combat Ships from Spain's Navantia

Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari and Navantia Chairman and CEO Ricardo García-Baquero signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides. SPA
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari and Navantia Chairman and CEO Ricardo García-Baquero signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Defense signed a contract with the Spanish Navantia Company in Riyadh on Thursday to acquire three Avante 2200 corvettes, multipurpose combat vessels for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), in a signing ceremony attended by Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari and Navantia Chairman and CEO Ricardo García-Baquero signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides.
Under the new acquisition contract, construction of the first vessel will commence this year and the third and last combat vessel is scheduled for delivery to the RSNF by 2028. The agreement emphasizes delivering the first vessel in Spain, while the systems for the second and third vessels will be completed in the Kingdom. This includes acceptance testing on Saudi soil and waters as well as the installation and integration of the Saudi-developed naval battle combat management system (HAZEM) and other combat systems as part of localization efforts.
The contract aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to localize military industries, contributing to the sustainability of naval systems. Navantia will provide a comprehensive logistics support package, including crew training, a full-scale training plan for over 100 Saudi engineers, and localization of up to 100% of the construction of the new naval ships, system integration, and ship maintenance, in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.
On this occasion, Al-Biyari said that the signing of the new acquisition contract aligns with the vision of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to establish an advanced naval industry base in the Kingdom. It also follows 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.
He further noted that the new contract builds on the success of the first Sarawat project, marked by the completion of its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat ships. This achievement has raised the readiness level of the naval forces, enhanced maritime security in the region, and safeguarded the Kingdom's vital and strategic interests.
García-Baquero emphasized that the project vessels incorporate the latest combat systems to counter all air, surface, and underwater threats, making them the most advanced of their class worldwide. He reiterated the company's commitment to transferring technology to Saudi engineers and contributing to localizing technical capabilities in the Kingdom.

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Bilateral Consultations Boost Coordination Between Riyadh, Washington

The Saudi Foreign Minister’s official US visit caps week of high-level coordination between the two countries (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
The Saudi Foreign Minister’s official US visit caps week of high-level coordination between the two countries (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Bilateral Consultations Boost Coordination Between Riyadh, Washington

The Saudi Foreign Minister’s official US visit caps week of high-level coordination between the two countries (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
The Saudi Foreign Minister’s official US visit caps week of high-level coordination between the two countries (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi-US coordination has seen a notable uptick in recent days, with five rounds of bilateral consultations held over the span of a week. The talks, which covered political, defense, and security issues, as well as regional and international developments, reflect deepening engagement between the two allies.

The surge in activity comes amid growing momentum in the relationship, with Riyadh hosting multiple American delegations in recent weeks, including repeated visits by the US Secretary of State.

The heightened diplomatic exchange also precedes a planned visit by US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia in May — his first overseas trip during his second term in office.

As part of this intensified coordination, US Central Command chief Gen. Erik Kurilla conducted a five-day tour of the region from April 1 to 5, visiting five countries. He spent two days in Saudi Arabia, where he met with Saudi Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili late last week.

Kurilla, Al-Ruwayli, and the other leaders discussed shared security concerns, the importance of joint readiness and interoperability, and their mutual commitment to addressing regional threats, according to a statement released by USCENTCOM.

Earlier this week, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji met with Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the US to the Kingdom Alison Dilworth at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh.

According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the two officials reviewed bilateral relations and discussed key regional and international developments, along with efforts to address them.

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman also received a phone call from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday.
They discussed defense cooperation between the two countries.

They also spoke about regional developments and shared efforts to enhance security and stability in the region and beyond.
The two officials reviewed the state of Saudi-US defense ties and explored prospects for deeper cooperation, according to a readout of the call.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement that the defense chiefs discussed the regional security landscape, including progress in US operations aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

Both sides also discussed opportunities to expand the US-Saudi partnership in defense affairs and agreed to maintain close communication going forward.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Washington on an official visit, where he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday at the State Department.

The two top diplomats discussed developments in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and the Russia-Ukraine war, exchanging views on ways to support international peace and security. They also explored options to strengthen coordination and cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual concern.

The talks also focused on the strategic ties between the two countries and opportunities to deepen them across various sectors.

In a statement, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts to help mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine, bolster economic and defense cooperation, counter Houthi threats in the region, and restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

Bruce added that the ministers also discussed diplomatic efforts aimed at securing the release of hostages in Gaza and achieving a permanent ceasefire that includes the full disarmament of Hamas and dismantling of its authority.

The statement said Prince Faisal and Rubio agreed on the need for Sudan’s armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces to resume peace talks, protect civilians, open humanitarian corridors, and return to civilian rule.

According to Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, an expert in US and international affairs, Saudi-US coordination is currently experiencing one of its strongest phases.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that global and regional dynamics are pushing both sides to intensify consultation and cooperation - a trend reflected in five rounds of talks held in less than a week.

Al-Ibrahim said the heightened level of coordination underscores Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance to both regional and global peace and security, as well as to Washington’s foreign policy priorities.

Key issues such as freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the war in Gaza, Sudan, and developments in Syria and Lebanon, highlight Riyadh’s central role, he noted.

He added that two of the most pressing US foreign policy challenges - the war in Gaza and the conflict in Ukraine - are seeing significant Saudi engagement.

Riyadh, he said, has been actively advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and has taken a leading role in hosting and supporting peace talks related to the Ukraine war, along with broader Russian-American relations.