Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defence press release – Translated by Naval News
The Saudi Ministry of Defense and the General Administration for Military Industry have stated that the HSI-32 fast patrol boat project boats constructed by Zamil Maritime Services and the French company CMN have been completed. The project, which intends to accomplish the Kingdom’s ambitions for indigenous boat production, was begun in October 2020.
On this occasion, His Excellency the Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghafili, expressed his appreciation for the full support that the armed forces and particularly naval forces, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces, and His Majesty His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense.
The Navy Commander stressed that the HSI-32 fast interceptor boat system will help raise the level of preparedness and combat readiness of the Saudi naval forces to enhance maritime security in the region, and will contribute to the protection of the Kingdom’s vital and strategic interests, along with the various units of the Eastern Fleet.
The Commander of the Naval Forces pointed out that the localization of the fast interceptor boat industry is an actual and realistic embodiment of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which is in line with His Highness the Crown Prince’s directives: achieving the Ministry of Defense’s strategic goals of improving spending efficiency and supporting the localization of local manufacturing.
His Excellency the Deputy Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries for Military Procurement, Mr. Muhammad Al-Athel, also expressed appreciation for the generous support and care that the military industries sector enjoys from the leadership which is providing all its capabilities and resources to support this promising sector.
He also stated that completing the HSI-32 Fast Interceptors project with national resources meets with the Authority’s strategic direction to achieve national priorities, transfer localization commitments to local companies, support and strengthen local manufacturers, develop promising local companies into leaders, and assist large national companies in improving their global position. He added that the localization of the fast interceptor boat industry will contribute to the national goal of localizing more than 50% of the Kingdom’s military equipment and services spending by 2030.
“The successful completion of the fast interceptor boat (HSI32) project is clear evidence of our serious and complementary work with our partners in this system, represented by Zamil Marine Services Company, and the French company CMN, with the General Authority’s support and encouragement. For the military industry to produce fast interceptor boats for the Royal Saudi Navy, emphasizing that this important and strategic national project will help strengthen the Kingdom’s strategic independence and increase the level of contribution to increase the local share, in addition to our national competencies in supporting the directions of this promising sector, which is a source of great pride for this generous homeland.”
Eng. Sufian Al-Zamil, CEO of Zamil Marine Services Company
The Chairman of the Board of CMN Naval of France, Mr. Iskandar Safa, expressed his pleasure and pride in this great and important achievement that represents a qualitative partnership and embodies a harmonious complementary work that has contributed to the completion of this important and strategic system, stressing his intention to advance cooperation in further projects in the field of military industry.
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Main Characteristics
- Length: 32.20 m
- Beam: 1,.40 m
- Max speed: 43 knots
- Range @12 knots: 800 nautical miles
- Crew: 12 sailors
- Hull & Superstructure: Aluminium
CMN HSI-32 Missions
- Sea policing and maritime security
- Fight against piracy, trafficking, smuggling and illegal immigration
- Protection of vulnerable vessels and offshore installations and escort of convoys
- Combined operations with aircraft and coastal surveillance systems
- Sea strike operations
- Defence against asymmetric threats, speedboats and the boarding of terrorists
- Safety at sea
- Search And Rescue (SAR)