Riyadh: The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) floated the His Majesty King Saud ship, the first vessel under the Tuwaiq Project, which includes the construction of four multi-mission combat ships, in the US state of Wisconsin.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the flotation ceremony was attended by Chief of Naval Staff Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Ghuraibi, alongside senior officers and officials from both Saudi Arabia and the United States, as well as representatives from Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri. Lockheed Martin is renowned for its expertise in defense and military industries, while Fincantieri specializes in constructing advanced military and naval vessels.

On the occasion, Al-Ghuraibi expressed his pleasure at the flotation of the ship, crediting the success to the unwavering support provided by the Saudi leadership. This support has been instrumental in achieving significant advancements in modernization and development for the Armed Forces, particularly the RSNF.

He emphasized that the Tuwaiq Project is a cornerstone in the RSNF’s development strategy, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to establishing a modern and professional naval force. This commitment includes leveraging the latest military technologies and implementing advanced training and qualification programs for personnel.

Al-Ghuraibi also highlighted that the project enhances the RSNF’s readiness to protect Saudi Arabia’s strategic interests and secure essential maritime routes. The ships built under this project are equipped with state-of-the-art combat systems, enabling them to execute a wide range of naval warfare missions and effectively engage with aerial, surface, and subsurface targets.