Collaborating with Spain, MBS Wants Saudi Arabia to Have a Tough Sea Fleet

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense signed a memorandum of agreement with the Spanish company Navantia to create a multi-mission combat ship for the Saudi Navy.

"This MoU with Spain aims to enhance the preparations of the Royal Saudi Navy to maintain maritime security in the territory, and to make protection of the important and vital needs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi State Information Office SPA provided a report on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

According to the deal, the Spanish company "will localize up to 100% naval ship aiming, combat mechanism integratives, and ship maintenance, in the direction of the Kingdom and Mission 2030."

The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism María Reyes Maroto.

Prince Khaled explained on Twitter that the deal counts towards Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman or MbS's mission to strengthen Saudi defense forces.

"This MOU is the latest attempt to fulfill the mission of the Crown Prince and First Minister to localize our military industry and harness and strengthen the power of the ministry of defence, which wants to help provide security for our country and region," he said as taken by Arabnews.

The deal aims to enhance the Royal Saudi Navy's preparations to safeguard maritime security in the area, create protection of the Kingdom's essential and vital needs, and provide support for the operational and tactical direction of the Ministry of Defence.

The new battleship builds focus on combining combat mechanisms, creating mechs and hardware, and upgrading software. Testing, clarification of mechanisms, archetyping, replication, and logistical support and design of training programs will be in the scope of the agreement.