New Navantia-SAMI JV to Build Five Corvettes for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Navantia Form Joint Venture Partnership with ‎60% Localization Target ‎

In addition to the joint venture company between Navantia and SAMI, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Spanish defense minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal signed an agreement for the sale of five corvettes worth about €2 billion. (SP MoD photo)

MADRID --- Under the high patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, and in the presence of Mariano Rajoy Spanish Prime Minister, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Navantia S.A. today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to create a joint venture (JV), that will manage and localize any naval combat systems activity including integration and installation.

Both parties also inked a Letter of Intent (LoI) to design and build 5 Avante 2200 corvettes including Combat Management System, for the Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia.

The signing ceremony came in conjunction with HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Madrid, Spain. The MoA was signed by H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, and Esteban García Vilasánchez, Chairman of Navantia.

H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, explained that the agreement comes in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and following the announcement of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman to localize 50% of the total military spending by 2030. “As one of the ambitious outcomes of the Crown Prince’s vision, SAMI is currently exploring all collaboration and localization opportunities to build a strong autonomous military industries ecosystem”.

“Navantia is committed to partnering with Saudi Arabia and determined to expand its presence in the Saudi and regional market,” Al-Khateeb added.

La ministra @mdcospedal y el príncipe heredero de Arabia Saudí, Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, firman el acuerdo de intenciones entre el Gobierno español y el saudí en relación a la venta por parte de Navantia de cinco corbetas pic.twitter.com/vdWjXoH1Mx

— Ministerio Defensa (@Defensagob) April 12, 2018

Once operational, new joint venture (JV) will focus on program management and combat system integration and ‎installation, system engineering, system architecture, hardware design, and software ‎development, testing & verification, prototyping, simulation, and modelling.

Esteban García Vilasánchez, Chairman of Navantia, said: “We are delighted to be working with our friends in Saudi Arabia, and we are proud of the trust HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman places in Navantia, and our ability to contribute to achieving the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 through this joint venture. The historical relationship between the two kingdoms [Spain and Saudi Arabia] dates back more than six decades, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership in support of the Kingdom’s national security and technology development needs.”

The MoA will further solidify the relationship between Navantia and Saudi Arabian Military Industry company (SAMI). The resulting JV will contribute in maintaining the readiness of the Saudi military fleet. In addition, the agreement will create approximately 1,000 jobs and training opportunities for Saudi youth, and augment the participation of Saudi nationals in the industry, contributing towards the objectives of the Kingdom's comprehensive Vision 2030 plan.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Saudi Arabia was originally due to order these five corvettes from Navantia in November 2016, but the signature was postponed at the last minute.
Click here for our Nov. 16 report on the contract, most of which remains valid today.)

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