Saudi Arabia launches HMS King Saud, first Tuwaiq Project combat vessel for navy's new era

Lt Gen Mohammed Al Ghuraibi, Chief of Saudi Naval Staff, attends ceremony held in the US state of Wisconsin

HMS King Saud, the first of four combat ships build under Saudi Arabia's Tuwaiq naval moderisation project, was launched at Marinette, Wisconsin, on December 14. @modgovksa/X

Saudi Arabia has floated the His Majesty King Saud, its first combat ship built under the Tuwaiq naval modernisation programme, the Saudi Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The Tuwaiq Project involves building four advanced multi-mission vessels to improve the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ (RSNF) operational capabilities.

The vessel is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to modernise its fleet with advanced technology, improved training programmes and expanded operational capacity. The Tuwaiq Project is a central component of that plan, designed to develop a more responsive and agile naval force capable of meeting evolving maritime threats.

The launch ceremony for HMS King Saud in the US state of Wisconsin was attended by Lt Gen Mohammed Al Ghuraibi, Chief of Saudi Naval Staff, senior Saudi and US officials and representatives from Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri, the companies building the Tuwaiq vessels, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Lt Gen Al Ghuraibi praised the support of the kingdom’s leadership for the armed forces and described the Tuwaiq Project as central to creating a modern, technologically advanced naval force.

He said the project significantly strengthens the naval forces' readiness to protect Saudi Arabia’s interests and secure maritime routes, adding that the ships will be capable of engaging aerial, surface and subsurface threats.

He also said that the initiative also includes upgrading King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail with maintenance and training facilities, ensuring the navy’s operational efficiency and long-term readiness.

The Saudi-US collaboration reflects a broader commitment to defence partnerships, localising naval military industries, and supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to bolster national defence capabilities and sustain a robust maritime security framework, said the SPA.

Lt Gen Al Ghuraibi also met Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of US Naval Operations, to discuss ways to enhance co-operation between the two navies, the Saudi Ministry of Defence.