عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

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.
    Asharq A-Awsat
TT
TT

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."

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Egypt and Oman Discuss Red Sea Security, Bilateral Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. (Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. (Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry)
TT
TT

Egypt and Oman Discuss Red Sea Security, Bilateral Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. (Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. (Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed escalating security tensions in the Red Sea during a visit to Oman on Monday, stressing the importance of maritime safety, freedom of international trade, and the direct link to the security of Red Sea littoral states.

Abdelatty highlighted the economic impact of the tensions on Egypt, particularly the decline in Suez Canal revenues, which fell from $9.4 billion in 2022–2023 to $7.2 billion in 2023–2024 due to the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The attacks, carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have forced global shipping companies to reroute vessels through the Cape of Good Hope.

During his meeting with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the sultanate’s leadership and its stabilizing regional role.

According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, he emphasized the need for Arab cooperation to address the region’s unprecedented instability, underscoring Egypt’s commitment to working closely with Oman to promote security and stability.

Abdelatty also met with his Omani counterpart Badr Al-Busaidi to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues. They reviewed existing cooperation frameworks and explored ways to boost relations, especially in trade, investments, and logistics.

The Egyptian official highlighted his country’s economic reform program and its efforts to attract foreign investment by improving the business climate and offering incentives.

The ministers discussed bolstering cooperation between the Suez Canal Economic Zone and Oman’s Special Economic Zone at Duqm, as well as strengthening maritime links between key ports, such as Duqm, Salalah, Alexandria, and Ain Sokhna. Such initiatives aim to boost trade and deepen collaboration in logistics and maritime transport, leveraging both nations’ strategic geographic locations.

Regional topics, including developments in Syria, Gaza, Yemen, Libya, Lebanon, and the Horn of Africa, were also addressed. The ministers expressed concern over the impact of Red Sea tensions on littoral states and shared a commitment to finding comprehensive political solutions for these crises.