The Royal Saudi Navy reinforced its fleet with the world’s fastest speedboats and is preparing to receive a new batch of combat aircraft. The military boost is aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Arabian Gulf and protecting vital and strategic interests of Saudi Arabia.
On Thursday, the Saudi Navy organized a celebration at the Ras Mashaab military port, located 236 km north of Dammam. During the event, three speedboats joined the fleet of marine vessels.
The Kingdom has signed an agreement with French company CMN to manufacture and supply a number of the HSI32 boats.
Some of the vessels will be made in France and the rest will be made in Saudi Arabia as part of a technology transfer program.
Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Gen. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghufaili said: “We are now seeing the first signs of large naval projects.”
He stated that the interceptor vessels were the first of such initiatives.
These boats will raise the level of combat readiness, enhance maritime security in the region, contribute in carrying out operations in important areas, and protect vital strategic interests and Saudi Arabia, he added.
Al-Ghufaili also said that the Kingdom will receive a number of military helicopters in the coming months to “support the naval forces.”
The Saudi Navy is working on a comprehensive development of combat capabilities through various armament and training contracts.
It also seeks to raise combat efficiency and overall capabilities to be among the ranks of the world’s advanced marine forces. This is in order to protect Saudi interests in regional waters through the implementation of future projects in line with Vision 2030.
