The keel-laying ceremony was conducted as a working event, attended by Alberto Cervantes, Director of the Corvettes and Maritime Action Vessels (CBAM) Business Unit, along with Navantia and RSNF programme teams. With this development, the shipyard is operating at full capacity, as the three vessels of the second series have already progressed beyond the workshop stage following the launch of the first unit on 18 June.
Delivery of the three corvettes is scheduled for completion in 2029. Navantia will deliver the first vessel, while the second and third will be completed in Saudi Arabia, including the installation, integration and testing of the combat system, replicating the approach followed in the earlier contract.
The contract also includes an integrated logistics support package, crew training and an operational evaluation phase by the Spanish Navy at the Rota naval base, where Navantia will provide support services. In addition, around 100 Saudi engineers will be trained under the programme.
This project represents approximately four million working hours for the Bay of Cádiz, generating up to 2,000 jobs across direct, indirect and induced employment.
The corvettes are based on Navantia’s Avante 2200 design, a multi-purpose platform capable of maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and protection of strategic assets. The vessels are equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and anti-surface warfare, as well as electronic warfare operations.
They incorporate Navantia’s in-house systems, including the HAZEM combat system, HERMESYS integrated communications system, DORNA fire-control director, Integrated Platform Control System and MINERVA integrated bridge. The programme is further supported by Navantia’s Repairs Business Unit through maintenance activities during scheduled dry dockings in San Fernando.
