Frigates Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]
Last reviewed: 7th February 2025
Snapshot
Shephard forecasts Saudi Arabia will soon start procuring new frigate-sized vessels. In December 2022, Riyadh signed an MoU with Navantia to acquire and build "Multi-Mission Combat Ships". Fincantieri, Naval Group and HHI have also expressed interest in the frigates' requirement.
Shephard estimates the programme has a value of $2.4 billion, with deliveries taking place in the late 2020s/early 2030s.
Summary
- Programme value:
- $2.4 billion (Estimated)
- Units required:
- 4 (Reported)
- Award year:
- 2025
- Status:
- Forecast
- Type:
- Procurement - new
- Systems:
-
HDF-3800 - Potential
Admiral Ronarc'h Class (FDI) - Potential
Chungnam Class (FFX Batch III/HDF-4000) - Potential
Alfa 4000 - Potential
Al Zubarah/Doha Class (FCX30) - Potential
Alfa 3000 - Potential
- Unit cost:
- $600.0 million (Modelled)
- PGO:
- 70% ?
Summary
- Programme value:
- $2.4 billion (Estimated)
- Units required:
- 4 (Reported)
- Award year:
- 2025
- Status:
- Forecast
- Type:
- Procurement - new
- Systems:
-
HDF-3800 - Potential
Admiral Ronarc'h Class (FDI) - Potential
Chungnam Class (FFX Batch III/HDF-4000) - Potential
Alfa 4000 - Potential
Al Zubarah/Doha Class (FCX30) - Potential
Alfa 3000 - Potential
- Unit cost:
- $600.0 million (Modelled)
- PGO:
- 70% ?
Bids and suppliers
Hyundai Heavy Industries - HDF-3800 - SOUTH KOREA
Potential
Naval Group - Admiral Ronarc'h Class (FDI) - FRANCE
Potential
Hyundai Heavy Industries - Chungnam Class (FFX Batch III/HDF-4000) - SOUTH KOREA
Potential
Navantia - Alfa 4000 - SPAIN
Potential
Fincantieri - Al Zubarah/Doha Class (FCX30) - ITALY
Potential
Navantia - Alfa 3000 - SPAIN
Potential
Additional Information
Programme Background
Requirements
The Royal Saudi Navy urges to enhance its combat capabilities and to replace older vessels. Riyadh has recently embarked on major naval procurement programmes with Lockheed Martin and Navantia.
The programmes mentioned above entail the construction of Multi-Mission Surface Combatants (light frigates) and Avante 2200 corvettes.
Looking at Saudi Arabia's inventory, there is an urgent requirement to replace four Al Madinah-class frigates. On a secondary priority level, three Al Ryadh-class frigates will need a replacement in the early 2030s.
In addition, according to SIPRI, Saudi Arabia was ranked the 5th biggest military spender in 2022, jumping from eighth to fifth place in one year and surpassing the United Kingdom, Germany and France. The country saw military spending increase by 16% to reach an estimated $75 billion.
Timeline
In December 2022, the Saudi Arabian MoD and General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) signed an MoU with Navantia to acquire and build "Multi-Mission Combat Ships".
Contenders & Bidders
Navantia
In December 2022, the Saudi Arabian MoD and General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) signed an MoU with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to acquire and build "Multi-Mission Combat Ships". No indication was given whether these would be based on an existing design.
Although it has not been officially disclosed which sort of ships the "Multi-Mission Combat Ships" concept encompasses, given the name similarity with Lockheed Martin's platforms, Saudi Arabia is probably looking at frigate-sized vessels.
The deal seeks to improve the readiness of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and support the Kingdom's strategic goal to fully localise shipbuilding, integration of combat systems and ship maintenance. The MoU will also focus on combat systems integration, systems design and engineering, hardware design, software development, testing, verification and other skills.
Speaking to Defense News, Agustín Alvarez, Naval Construction Director at Navantia, revealed that Saudi Arabia is eying five of Multi-Mission Combat Ships and expects to receive a further detailed proposal for requirements by 2024.
Looking at Navantia's portfolio, Shephard believes the Spanish proposal could involve the Alfa 4000/3000 vessels.
Fincantieri
After the World Defense Show 2022, Achille Fulfaro, Fincantieri's Senior Vice President of Sales, confirmed to EDR that the Italian shipbuilder is interested in the potential Saudi frigate requirement and that the FREMM design could represent a suitable solution.
Shephard notes that Fincantieri could also propose smaller vessels such as FCX30 or PPA.
At Seafuture 2023, Fincantieri confirmed its interest in the programme to Shephard.
Reporting from WDS 2024, RID claimed that the KSA is seeking to procure four heavy corvettes/medium frigates, and Fincantieri is pitching its FCX30 design. The Italian offer could mirror the strategy pursued in Qatar and Greece, thus involving Leonardo, MBDA and ELT for the sensors, missiles, and EW suite, respectively.
Hyundai Heavy Industries
A modified version of the ship (HDF-3800SA) has reportedly been offered to Saudi Arabia for the country's new frigate requirement.
In 2022, HHI and International Maritime Industries (IMI) signed an MOU extension for joint participation in the Saudi naval ship business.
At WDS 2024, HHI showcased the model of the HDF-4000 frigate, confirming that the South Korean company is pitching the design for the upcoming requirement of the KSA.
Naval Group
According to some French media outlets, even Naval Group, with its FDI frigate design, is part of the discussions.
At WDS 2024, pitched its FDI (Belh@rra) frigate for the frigates requirement of the KSA.
Contracts Award
Shephard estimates a contract will be awarded around 2025/2026.
Forecast Methodology
Quantity
According to Defense News, up to five vessels could be procured.
However, Navantia's sources revealed that the MoU between the Spanish company and the Government of Saudi Arabia includes the procurement of four multipurpose frigates and one additional Avante corvette.
Programme Value & Unit Cost
Considering the designs that were showcased at WDS 2024, Shephard believes Saudi Arabia could opt for a frigate displacing around 4,000t.
Based on a cost-per-tonne model, Shephard estimates a 4,000t frigate could cost, on average, around $600 million. Therefore, the total programme value for four ships would be $2.4 billion.
Programme Years
Programme Years have been calculated by spreading the unit cost value across the estimated construction period of each vessel based on a procurement rate of one ship per year.
Construction & Delivery Timeline
Given the urgent requirement to replace older vessels and enhance its naval capabilities, Saudi Arabia is expected to sign a contract by 2025/2026.
Considering a hypothetical 4,000t frigate and looking at the construction timeline of the FDI/FCX30, the future Saudi frigates have an estimated construction timeline of two years.
Should a contract be signed in 2025, with works starting in 2026, the lead ship could be launched in 2028 and join the fleet around 2030.
Assuming keels would be laid down at a rhythm of one per year, the last frigate could be delivered in 2033.
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