The ceremony was attended by a broad institutional and business representation, welcomed by Navantia Chairman Ricardo Domínguez. After the opening of the event, verses from the Qur’an were recited before speeches were delivered.
Alberto Cervantes, Director of the Corvette and Maritime Action Vessels Business Unit, was the first to address the audience and welcomed attendees. The Director of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Saleh Al Khathami, then spoke on behalf of Royal Saudi Naval Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman AL-Ghuraybi.
Rear Admiral Saleh Al Khathami stated that “we celebrate together a significant milestone in the second batch of ALSARAWAT Project, the launching of HMS ALMADINAH”. “On this special occasion, RSNF would like to express its sincere appreciation to Navantia’s longstanding commitment and outstanding efforts throughout the project and to the valuable support provided be the Spanish Navy throughout this important endeavor. Today the sea welcomes (HMS ALMADINAH) and tomorrow she will contribute to safeguarding the Kingdom’s maritime interests and supporting regional and internation stability”.
Ricardo Domínguez highlighted the collaboration behind the Avante 2200 programme and its delivery against demanding deadlines and requirements. “We are proud that, throughout both series of corvettes, all vessels have been delivered on time, within budget and in full alignment with our localisation commitments to the Kingdom, especially with GAMI.”
“Over the years, Navantia has proved to be a reliable and trusted partner of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Ministry of Defence. We remain committed to supporting their future ambitions — including frigates, minehunters, and submarines — in a spirit of friendship and long-term cooperation.”
The second series comprises three corvettes, with the last due to be delivered in 2029. The first will be commissioned in Spain, while the second and third will be completed in Saudi Arabia with installation, integration and testing of the combat system.
Navantia said this approach follows the model used for the fourth and fifth units of the previous contract. The contract also includes an Integrated Logistic Support package, crew training and an operational evaluation period by the Spanish Navy at Rota Naval Base, where Navantia will provide support services.
The Saudi corvettes are based on Navantia’s AVANTE 2200 design, a multi-purpose platform developed for maritime surveillance and traffic control, search and rescue, and assistance to other ships. The vessels also provide capabilities for the defence of strategic assets and intelligence, as well as anti-submarine, anti-air, anti-surface and electronic warfare.
The ships feature a state-of-the-art design and include several Navantia in-house systems. These include the HAZEM combat system through the SAMINavantia joint venture, the HERMESYS integrated communications system, the DORNA fire-control director, the Integrated Platform Control System and the MINERVA integrated bridge.
The corvettes also incorporate propulsion engines under MTU licence, diesel generator sets and reduction gearboxes under Schelde licence. Navantia’s Repairs Business Unit will support the programme through work carried out during the corvettes’ dry dockings in San Fernando.
The launch of HMS ALMADINAH marked the start of the second series of corvettes for Saudi Arabia built by Navantia. The programme continues the shipbuilder’s cooperation with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence under the Avante 2200 framework.
