Saudi Navy Launches Multi-mission Warship in the United States
JAKARTA - The Royal Saudi Navy (RSNF) launched the His Majesty King Saud (820) warship, the first of four multi-mission combat ships under the Tuwaiq Project, in Wisconsin, United States.
The launch ceremony, attended by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Ghuraibi, senior Saudi and US military officials, as well as representatives from Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri, the companies overseeing the construction of the ship, was held in mid-month.
Lieutenant General Al-Ghuraibi welcomed the successful launch and praised the strong support provided by the Kingdom's leadership to the armed forces, especially the RSNF, which has encouraged significant progress in the modernization and development of the navy.
He described the Tuwaiq Project as a strategic foundation for the development of RSNF, reflecting Saudi Arabia's ambition to build a modern and professional navy supported by advanced military technology and comprehensive training programs for its personnel, quoted from Arab News (2/1).
Al-Ghuraibi continued, this project will increase the operational readiness of the navy to safeguard the Kingdom's strategic interests and protect vital maritime routes.
He emphasized that the new ships are equipped with advanced combat systems capable of conducting various naval operations against air, surface and underwater threats.
Lieutenant General Al Ghuraibi praised the royal leadership's support for the armed forces and described the Tuwaiq Project as the core of the creation of a modern and technologically advanced navy.
Quoted from The National, the initiative also includes the expansion of the King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail with maintenance and training facilities, ensuring naval operational efficiency and long-term readiness.
The Saudi-US collaboration reflects a broader commitment to a defense partnership, localization of naval military industries, and support for the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase national defense capabilities and maintain a strong maritime security framework, said the Saudi Press Agency.