Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia has begun sea trials of the first of five Avante 2200 corvettes being built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF).
The trials will last a total of two months, divided into two different periods. The current trial period will last about two weeks. Some 140 people participate in them, among them some 40 engineers from different specialties.
The trials are staffed by Navantia, partner Industries, Lloyds Register of Shipping and major equipment supplier companies. Likewise, the RSNF and members of the Spanish Navy will be also participating in the process.
Sea trials are carried out before delivery in order to check the operation of both the platform and the different systems and test their compliance with the requirements specified in the contract.
Once this period is over, Al-Jubail, launched in July 2020, will have its combat system installed, prior to delivery of the ship.
Al Jubail is the first of five corvettes being built by Navantia in the Avante 2200 program. It has a length of 104 meters, a beam of 14 and she will be able to transport a total of 102 people including crew and passengers.
“The design of the corvettes is of the latest generation, maximizing the participation of Navantia by incorporating its own products, such as the CATIZ Combat System, the HERMESYS Integrated Communications System, the DORNA Firing Direction, the Integrated Platform Control System and the MINERVA Integrated Bridge, together with other equipment developed by Navantia under license, such as the MTU Engines or the RENK Reduction Gearboxes,” the company revealed.
Spain and Saudi Arabia finalized Avante 2200 corvette deal in April 2018. The deal is worth around €2 billion.
This program, whose last vessel must be delivered in 2024, includes, in addition to construction, life cycle support for five years, from the delivery of the first vessel, with an option for another five years.