The launch of His Majesty King Saud's ship: a strategic achievement within the Tuwaiq project
In a strategic move reflecting the rapid development of the military sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Royal Saudi Naval Forces celebrated the launch of the ship "His Majesty King Saud," the first combat vessel in the ambitious "Tuwaiq" project. The launch ceremony took place in Wisconsin, USA, in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharibi, and a host of senior officers and officials from both the Saudi and American sides, in addition to representatives from the leading defense and shipbuilding companies, Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri.
A qualitative leap in naval armament
The launch of the ship “His Majesty King Saud” marks the beginning of a new era of combat readiness for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. This achievement is part of the “Tuwaiq” project, which aims to build four multi-mission combat ships (MMSCs). These ships are equipped with the latest and most advanced combat systems in the world, giving them superior capabilities in dealing with various threats, whether air, surface, or subsurface, thus enhancing the Kingdom’s naval supremacy in the region.
The strategic importance of the Tuwaiq project
The Tuwaiq project is not merely about acquiring modern naval vessels; it represents a cornerstone of the Kingdom's national defense strategy. This step comes at a time of increasing need to secure vital waterways in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, which are the lifeblood of the global economy and energy trade. These vessels will directly contribute to protecting the Kingdom's strategic interests, securing international shipping lanes, and countering unconventional threats, thus solidifying the Kingdom's position as a regional power guaranteeing maritime security and stability.
Localizing industries and aligning with Vision 2030
Lieutenant General Al-Gharibi affirmed that the project embodies the unlimited support of the wise leadership, noting that “Tuwaiq” extends beyond shipbuilding to encompass infrastructure development, including the modernization of King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail and the establishment of advanced training and maintenance facilities. This project is fully aligned with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and is being implemented in close collaboration with the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD). This collaboration aims to transfer technology, localize knowledge, and build a sustainable national defense industrial base that contributes to increasing the local content in the military sector.
Saudi-American strategic partnership
This achievement reflects the depth of the strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America in the defense field. The existing cooperation between the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and major American companies like Lockheed Martin is not limited to armament; it extends to the exchange of expertise, joint training, and enhancing the combat and operational readiness of Saudi crews, thus ensuring the sustainability of naval operations with high efficiency and professionalism.
