The Saudi Ministry of Defense is accelerating the development of a modern naval force equipped with advanced combat systems, high operational efficiency, and qualified national personnel. This drive stems from the Ministry of Defense Development Program, launched under the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and approved by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on February 26, 2018.
Saudi MoD press release
The program establishes a comprehensive operating model, governance structure, and organizational framework to optimize spending, modernize armaments, build joint operational superiority, boost morale, and localize military industries. Central to this strategy is empowering the Royal Saudi Naval Forces to safeguard the Kingdom’s extensive Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastlines, secure critical maritime corridors, protect strategic assets, and support regional and international maritime stability.
Two Pillars for Enhancing Operational Readiness
The Royal Saudi Naval Forces are upgrading combat readiness, technical systems, and human capital through landmark strategic programs—most notably the Sarawat and Tuwaiq projects. Both initiatives drive qualitative modernization, technology transfer, domestic defense industrialization, workforce training, and naval base infrastructure expansion in direct alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
Sarawat Project: A Shift in Naval Capability Development
The Sarawat Project provides an integrated naval ecosystem centered on multi-mission combat vessels, technology transfer, and supply sustainability. The initiative covers the delivery of eight Avante 2200 corvettes, alongside long-term logistics, maintenance facilities, and advanced simulation training.
The first phase encompassed manufacturing five combat vessels—HMS Al Jubail, HMS Al Diriyah, HMS Hail, HMS Jazan, and HMS Unayzah—paired with simulator and sea-trial crew training, land-based testing facilities, and comprehensive sustainment. The second phase covers the construction of HMS Al Madinah, HMS NEOM, and HMS AlUla, an integrated logistics package, specialized training for over 100 Saudi engineers, and the domestic localization of vessel assembly, systems integration, and maintenance. The corvettes feature advanced multi-dimensional combat suites countering air, surface, and sub-surface threats, along with electronic warfare systems to secure vital sea lanes.
Localisation of Military Industries and Building National Capabilities
Phase one established a localized naval manufacturing framework, marked by the December 4, 2023 commissioning of HMS Jazan at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah by Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The vessel was the project’s first to undergo full combat system integration and acceptance trials on Saudi territory and waters. The project also yielded HAZEM, the first Saudi-developed naval combat management system, bolstering technical sovereignty.
National Integration for the Development of Military Industries and Systems
The project exemplifies domestic integration regulated by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) through an industrial participation agreement with Spain’s Navantia. The initiative is executed via a strategic partnership between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Navantia to localize defense spending, transfer knowledge, and build a lasting industrial base.
Tuwaiq Project: Advancement to Enhance Naval Readiness
The parallel Tuwaiq Project expands fleet readiness and naval infrastructure. It entails constructing four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) vessels—HMS King Saud, HMS King Fahd, HMS King Abdullah, and HMS King Salman. The project also encompasses expanding King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail, installing advanced maintenance and simulation training centers, and delivering comprehensive technical and crew training.
Saudi-US Partnership to Localize Naval Military Industries
Tuwaiq reflects deep bilateral defense cooperation with the United States. Executed with Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri in coordination with GAMI, the initiative focuses on technology transfer, naval construction localization, local content development, and high-value technical job creation for national cadres.
Together, Sarawat and Tuwaiq projects demonstrate a unified strategic roadmap integrating defense manufacturing localization, advanced weapon systems, global partnerships, and infrastructural modernization to ensure a capable, sustainable naval force under Saudi Vision 2030.
– End –
