Navantia’s San Fernando shipyard has held the keel-laying event for the seventh corvette it is building for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), Avante 2200 class.
As disclosed, the ceremony for the vessel, which will be named HMS Neom, took place today (May 8).
With this milestone, the first block of the second corvette in this series is now on the slipway; together with the first unit, HMS Al-Madinah, both vessels are preparing for launch in the coming months.
The final ship in this three-vessel series is scheduled for delivery in 2029. Navantia will deliver the first unit, while the second and third will be completed in Saudi Arabia, including the installation, integration and testing of the combat system, in line with the previous contract.
This project follows the successful completion of the first contract for the RSN, which saw the delivery of five units.
The order also includes an integrated logistic support package and crew training, as well as an operational evaluation period by the Spanish Navy at Rota Naval Base, where Navantia will provide support services. In addition, Navantia will train around one hundred Saudi engineers under the Industrial Participation Agreement.