First Sawari II frigate launched
14 June 2001
On Tuesday, 1 August 2000, the frigate Al Ryadh will be launched from the DCN-Lorient shipyard, in the presence of French and Saudi officials. Outfitting of the Al Ryadh will now be completed before the start of dockside tests. The frigate is scheduled for delivery in the summer of 2002.
This first frigate launch marks an important milestone in the Sawari II contract signed by France and Saudi Arabia on 19 November 1994. Sawari II is the most recent example of successful Franco-Saudi cooperation: for more than 20 years, the two nations have built a solid relationship based on mutual trust through the Sawari I, Dalfine and Mouette contracts, which respectively covered the supply, support and overhaul of four ASW frigates and two refuelling ships.
Thomson-CSF is prime contractor for Sawari II. Its main industrial partners on the contract are DCN/DCN International for the platform and propulsion system; SFCS (a joint venture of DCN International and Thomson-CSF) for the combat system; NAVFCO for crew training; SODETEG and SOFINFRA for design and construction of shore infrastructure in Jeddah (school and facilities); and Aerospatiale-Matra-Missiles for missiles.
The three Sawari II multipurpose stealth frigates, designed and built by DCN, the French naval shipbuilder, are derivatives of the La Fayette class frigate. They are 135 metres long, with a 17-metre beam and a displacement of over 4,500 metric tons.
The frigates’ highly automated information processing system, developed jointly by Thomson-CSF and DCN, is also based on the La Fayette class system. The frigates are also equipped with the most modern weapon systems, including in particular the Arabel/Aster air defence system used on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
The three Sawari II frigates bring the total of La Fayette class ships built for France and export markets to 14, underscoring France’s leadership position in the naval shipbuilding industry.
Press contacts
Thomson-CSF
Alix Vilmont
33 (0) 1 5377 85 13
Caroline Harvey-Gutierrez
33 (0) 1 5377 86 26
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