Al Riyadh Sawari-2 / F-3000S / La Fayette
Saudi Arabia contracted to purchase three Lafayette-type frigates (3,700 tons light, 4,650 full) from the French, armed with Exocet antiship missiles, and a 100mm gun. The La Fayette class units (FL-3000 for "Fregate Legere de 3,000 tonnes", "3,000-tonnes light frigates", or "FLF" or Fregate Legere Furtive", "Light Stealth Frigate") are light multi-mission frigates built by DCN and operated by France (Marine Nationale). Derivatives of the type are in service in Saudi Arabia, Singapore (Republic of Singapore Navy) and Republic of China (Taiwan) (Republic of China Navy). The Saudi frigates, based on DCN's stealth frigate design, are about 25% larger than the French La Fayette class frigate and have additional capabilities, for example enhanced anti-air warfare and anti-submarine capability, to achieve the operational requirements of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
The Sawari II vessels are based on DCN's highly successful La Fayette-class stealth frigates. They have an overall length of 133 metres and a beam of 17 metres for a displacement of 4,500 tons. The Sawari II frigates feature highly-automated combat management systems developed jointly by Thales and DCN and based on the CMS developed for the French Navy's La Fayette-class frigates. Their sophisticated combat systems include the SAAM naval self-defence system comprising an Arabel fire-control radar and Aster 15 missiles.
The ship's main weapon is the Oto Melara 76/62mm ultra-high-speed cannon, which fires 120 rounds per minute, with a maximum range of 20 kilometers. This is in addition to two Giat 20mm cannons. There are also 4 rear torpedo guns caliber 533 mm, armed with heavy anti-submarine torpedoes "F-17", manufactured by DCNS.
The Riyadh-class frigate is equipped with the Zenit 7 combat system of SFCS, which is the same series as similar French warships, but incorporates some Zenit 8 combat system modules (equipped on the French Charles de Gaulle-class ships). The sensor systems used on the ship are multiple sonar systems, "CAPTAS 20" class, made by Thales for underwater systems. The ship is also equipped with a long-range air radar, in addition to two radars, one for navigation, and the other for controlling helicopters.
The main search and fire control equipment on the ship is an ARABEL 3D multifunctional phased array radar developed by Thomson/CSF on mast 3. Its rotating array antenna is located in a hemispherical protective cover. The maximum search distance is about 100 kilometers, it can simultaneously detect and detect 120 targets, track 50 of them, and simultaneously guide 16 Aster-15 air defense missiles to engage 10 targets. The Riyadh class also has a DRBV-26D Jupiter (Jupiter) D-frequency 2D long-range air search radar located on mast 1, and two Decca navigation radars manufactured by Sperry Marine for navigation and helicopter control. On the top of the bridge are There is a DCN CTM integrated photoelectric/radar search fire control system that combines Thales Castor 2J I-frequency pulsed Doppler fire control radar, laser rangefinder and infrared thermal imager, which is mainly used for guided naval gun engagement.
The ship's electronic warfare system includes: electronic support measures, a communication intercept system made by Altesse, and radar and communications jamming systems. The ship was also equipped with two camouflaged missile guns. The electronic warfare equipment of this class ship is provided by Thales, including the DR-3000 electronic support system, the Altesse communication interception system, the Salamandre B2 radar jamming system, the TRC-281 communication jamming system, and two EADS Dagaie jammer launchers.
In addition to improving air defense, the Riyadh class is also equipped with a new CAPTAS-20 combined active/passive towed array sonar (CAPTAS) from Thales Underwater Systems. , But there is no bow sonar. CAPTAS is a low-frequency active/passive towed array sonar series launched by Thales Group in the 1990s. The audio frequency range is about 0.1~2.0KHz, and the active sonar working frequency is about 0.95~2.1KHz. The Riyadh-class CAPTAS 20 is the first export product of CAPTAS. Its active towing body is equipped with a ring transducer above and below it, and is connected to a set of 12m long passive listening array.
The helipad on the deck, at the stern of the vehicle, has room to land one medium-sized helicopter, such as the larger Eurocopter or Cougar helicopters. The deck is also fitted with the Samahe helicopter control system, made by DCN. Also, the fully equipped hangar can accommodate one helicopter.
The CODAD (Multiple Diesel Engine Driven Simultaneously) system for vehicle propulsion is built on 4 SEMT Pielstivk diesel engines, each with a power of 5,700 kW (7,740 hp). Diesel engines are powered by two arms connected to propellers designed by Rolls-Royce. DCN entered into a license agreement allowing it to manufacture these propellers for use in the "Riyadh" frigates.
Thomson-CSF was the prime contractor for Sawari II, a 9 year, multi billion pound program for delivery of three F3000S frigates for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, equipped with the state-of-the-art Arabel multi function radar and the Aster missile system similar to that already installed on the French Navy's nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The prime characteristic of La Fayette frigates is their stealth, which is to say, their low radar, acoustic, IR and electromagnetic signatures. The La Fayette concept featured the first major design innovations in this respect. These flexible, modular vessels are available in anti-air, anti-submarine and multirole versions.
In April 2007, DCN became DCNS. This followed an agreement in which Thales became a 25% shareholder in the new company and DCN acquired the naval business of Thales France (excluding naval equipment). The contract for the first two ships was agreed between France and Saudi Arabia in 1994 under the Sawari II agreement. The contract for the third ship was placed in 1997.
The prime contractor was Thales (now DCNS) which is responsible for the vessel architecture, propulsion systems and combat systems integration. Main contractors include: SFCS (a subsidiary of Armaris, now owned by DCNS), responsible for the ship's combat systems; MBDA which is supplying missiles; and Sofinfra, which is responsible for the construction of 20,000m² of infrastructure facilities including a school and workshop in Jeddah. NAVFCO, the training organisation within the French Navy, is contracted to carry out crew and engineering training for over 700 trainee personnel under the Sawari II programme.
The first vessel for Saudi Arabia was delivered in mid-2002, with the others to follow in 2003 and 2004. Navy (Royal Saudi Naval Forces) SAAM air-defence system for three F-3000S (modified French La Fayette-class) frigates was ordered in 1997 and all equipment on board since September 2002. On Friday 20 July 2001, the frigate Makkah (Arabic for 'Mecca') built by DCN's Lorient shipyard for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces was launched during a ceremony attended by French and Saudi officials. The vessel was moved to a special berth for final outfitting prior to harbour acceptance tests. The Makkah was scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2003. The Sawari II contract signed by France and Saudi Arabia on 19 November 1994 called for the delivery of three frigates: The first, Al Riyadh, was launched on 1 August 2000. Harbor acceptance tests were scheduled to begin in September 2001.
The second, the Makkah, was launched on 20 July. The third, Al Damman, was built in the drydock vacated by the Makkah on 20 July. Like its predecessors, the Al Damman was assembled from pre-outfitted hull blocks. The Sawari II contract includes services ranging from logistic support to the training of crews and engineers, and the building of a training centre. Thales is prime contractor for the overall Sawari II program and DCN the naval architect for all three ships. The main industrial partner are DCN/DCN International for the platforms and propulsion systems and SFCS, a joint subsidiary of DCN and Thales, for the combat systems.
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