Saudi Arabia, Spain Sign MoU on Building Combat Ships for Saudi Navy

The MoU was signed in the presence and patronage of Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism María Reyes Maroto.
The MoU was signed in the presence and patronage of Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism María Reyes Maroto.
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Saudi Arabia, Spain Sign MoU on Building Combat Ships for Saudi Navy

The MoU was signed in the presence and patronage of Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism María Reyes Maroto.
The MoU was signed in the presence and patronage of Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism María Reyes Maroto.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Spanish Navantia Co., to acquire and build a number of multi-mission combat ships for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF).

The MoU was signed in the presence and patronage of Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism María Reyes Maroto.

The MoU aims to raise the level of readiness of RSNF to enhance maritime security in the region, protect the vital and strategic interests of the Kingdom, and support the strategic, operational and tactical goals of the Defense Ministry.

The agreement stipulated that the Spanish company would localize up to 100% of naval shipbuilding, integration of combat systems, and ship maintenance, in line with the Kingdom's objectives and Vision 2030.

The MoU focuses on integrating combat systems into new combat ships, systems design and engineering, hardware design, software development, testing, verification systems, prototyping, and simulation, as well as logistical support and training program design.

On this occasion, Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khalid Al-Bayari confirmed that the MoU comes within the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to create a base for advanced marine industries in the Kingdom, as well as in accordance with the directives of Prince Khalid bin Salman with the aim of raising the readiness of Saudi Arabia's armed forces, sustaining systems, localizing military industries, and maximizing the use of local content.

The Governor of GAMI, Eng. Ahmed Al-Ohali, affirmed the MoU “promotes the march of localization in the military industries sector by achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s vision to localize more than 50% of the total military spending by 2030, which will enable it to achieve the national priorities represented in strengthening the strategic independence of the Kingdom, in addition to developing a sustainable local military industries sector that enhances the building of local industrial capabilities and various supply chains, in addition to the localization of human cadres."



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.