Arab News, Thursday, Dec 01, 2022 | Jamadi Al Awwal 7, 1444
Saudi defense ministry, Spain’s Navantia sign combat ships agreement
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry and Saudi General Authority for Military
Industries signed an agreement with Spain’s Navantia company to acquire and
build a number of multi-mission combat ships for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces,
the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The Kingdom’s Defense Minister Prince Khaled bin
Salman and Spain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism María Reyes
Maroto attended the agreement’s signing ceremony.
Prince Khaled said on Twitter that this agreement
falls within Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision to strengthen the
capabilities of the Saudi defense ministry.
“This MOU represents the latest effort to fulfill
the vision of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to localize our military
industry and empower and strengthen the capabilities of the ministry of defense,
which will help provide security for our country and region,” he said.
The agreement aims to raise the level of readiness
of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces to enhance maritime security in the region,
protect the Kingdom’s vital and strategic interests, and support defense
ministry’s operational and tactical goals.
According to the agreement, Navantia will localize
up to 100% of naval shipbuilding, integration of combat systems, and ship
maintenance, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
It also focuses on integrating combat systems into
new ships, engineering and designing systems and hardware, and developing
software.
Testing, systems verification, prototyping,
simulation, as well as logistical support and training program design will also
be within the scope of the agreement.