Saudi Arabia’s SAMI, Navantia in SR3.7bn military deal

The signing ceremony was attended by SAMI Chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Navantia S.A. Chairwoman Susana de Sarria, among other officials. (SPA)

• The new contract builds on the joint venture partnership agreement signed by SAMI and Navantia last year to design and build five Avante 2200 corvettes for the Saudi navy

RIYADH: SAMI Navantia Naval Industries (SAMI-Navantia) signed a SR3.7 billion ($986 million) contract with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to collaborate on combat system integration (CSI) on the Avante 2200 corvettes for the Saudi navy.
SAMI Navantia Naval Industries (SAMI-Navantia) is a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Navantia S.A.
The contract will contribute to industry localization, transfer of technology and creating job opportunities.
It was signed at SAMI’s booth at the Defense and Security Equipment International 2019 exhibition at London’s ExCeL convention center. The ceremony was attended by SAMI Chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Navantia S.A. Chairwoman Susana de Sarria, SAMI CEO Dr. Andreas Schwer and SAMI-Navantia CEO Antonio Rodriguez-Barberan.
“The partnership agreement … represents a landmark achievement for SAMI-Navantia as the company is embarking on a historic journey with the objective of helping realize Saudi Arabia’s ambitions related to localizing the military and defense industries, transferring technology to the Kingdom, and creating new jobs as envisaged in the Saudi Vision 2030 (reform plan),” said Rodriguez-Barberan.
“This offers us an excellent opportunity to capitalize on our strategic partner’s several years of experience in the design, construction and integration of warships to build our own capabilities in the domain.”
De Sarria said: “Our contract with SAMI-Navantia is proof of Navantia’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia in developing its industrial capabilities in the defense sector.”
She added: “This will provide a strong foundation for long-term cooperation between SAMI and Navantia.” The new contract builds on the joint venture partnership agreement signed by SAMI and Navantia last year to design and build five Avante 2200 corvettes for the Saudi navy.