Builds on Existing Cooperation Across Multiple Projects
Navantia and Zamil Shipyard have signed an MoU aimed at boosting their collaboration in Saudi Arabia.
Navantia’s commitments to Saudi Arabia’s ‘VISION 2030’ has taken another step forward through this MoU, which is focused on collaboration in future naval shipbuilding programmes as well as in other areas, such as ship repairs, conversions and sustainment.
Navantia has launched other initiatives in Saudi Arabia to boost industrial cooperation in the area of combat systems integration, a highly technical domain, for which the company created a joint venture (SAMI-Navantia) with Saudi Arabia Military Industries (SAMI) to develop, integrate and market the first Saudi combat system, designated HAZEM. The company was awarded a significant contract in September 2019 for supply and integration of the combat system for the five AVANTE 2200 corvettes currently under construction for Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF).
SAMI-Navantia employs over 30 Saudis and local engineers in the AVANTE 2200 project have deployed to Spain for the duration of the programme, becoming the backbone of support in the Kingdom. The capability and skills developed in the AVANTE programme will also benefit future RSNF projects, as well as the international programmes in which both companies are already cooperating.
Additionally, Navantia is discussing cooperation with companies in the Kingdom aimed at achieving a degree of self-sufficiency in maintenance, repair and overhaul of vessels and the development of a solid shipbuilding ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.