RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Naval Forces on Friday floated HMS Al-Madinah, the first vessel of the second phase of the Sarawat Program, at Spanish shipbuilder Navantia’s shipyard in San Fernando, Spain, marking a major milestone in the Kingdom’s naval modernization efforts.
The float-out follows the completion of the ship’s hull construction and assembly and signals the beginning of the next stage of development, which includes the installation and integration of onboard systems before the vessel undergoes port acceptance testing and sea trials ahead of entering operational service.
HMS Al-Madinah is the first of three multi-mission Avante 2200-class corvettes being acquired under the program. The other two vessels, HMS Neom and HMS AlUla, are also under construction.
The Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Spain’s Navantia in December 2024 for the acquisition and supply of the three corvettes, building on the success of the first phase of the Sarawat Program, which delivered five combat vessels to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
The float-out ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Saleh Al-Khathami, RSNF director of naval staff, representing Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Gharibi and Navantia Chairman Ricardo Dominguez.
Al-Gharibi said that the project reflected the continued support provided to the Kingdom’s armed forces, particularly the naval forces, by King Salman, Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman.
He said that the support had strengthened defense capabilities and enhanced operational readiness across the armed forces.
Al-Gharibi added that work on the Sarawat Program’s second phase was progressing according to schedule, including plans to complete the second and third vessels within the Kingdom.
He highlighted the role of Saudi Arabian Military Industries in developing the Hazm naval combat management system and integrating it with the ships’ weapons systems, describing the effort as part of broader objectives to localize defense industries and support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The second phase of the Sarawat Program is intended to expand the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ multi-mission capabilities while increasing local content and technology transfer in the Kingdom’s defense sector.
