Willink
17-03-2006, 06:33
The Saudi Arabian Navy had been a perticuarly strong force following the Iraq war in 2003-2006, relying on the workhorse LaFeyyette class Frigates, and several smaller patrol ships. Then navy was quickly expanding, and with 2011 just beginning, the future is bright for the Saudi Navy.
The Frigate AlRiyadh off Oman, 2010 (http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/al_riyadh/images/AlRiyadh_2.jpg)
The current big purchase is the 4 Kidd Class Destroyers bought from the United States. The First, the USS Chandler arrived in December 2010, with the next 3 arriving in January 2011.
The EX-USS Chandler Sailing to Jeddah in the red sea for hand over to the Saudi fleet, December 2010 (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0599414.jpg)
The 2nd Ship to Arrive, the Ex-USS Kidd, off the coast of Africa in the Red sea, 2011 (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0599305.jpg)
The USS Callaghan was the next to arrive, two days later, seen off coast of South Africa, 2011 (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0599411.jpg)
The Final ship to arrive, the USS Scott, January 2011. The class was bought from the United States in October 2010. (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0599507.jpg)
Two Major Deals are on the table for the navy now, including finilizing the purchase of 3 Swiftsure class Nuclear attack subs from the United Kindom, and the Indian Aircraft Carrier the Viraant.
The Frigate AlRiyadh off Oman, 2010 (http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/al_riyadh/images/AlRiyadh_2.jpg)
The current big purchase is the 4 Kidd Class Destroyers bought from the United States. The First, the USS Chandler arrived in December 2010, with the next 3 arriving in January 2011.
The EX-USS Chandler Sailing to Jeddah in the red sea for hand over to the Saudi fleet, December 2010 (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0599414.jpg)
The 2nd Ship to Arrive, the Ex-USS Kidd, off the coast of Africa in the Red sea, 2011 (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0599305.jpg)
The USS Callaghan was the next to arrive, two days later, seen off coast of South Africa, 2011 (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0599411.jpg)
The Final ship to arrive, the USS Scott, January 2011. The class was bought from the United States in October 2010. (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0599507.jpg)
Two Major Deals are on the table for the navy now, including finilizing the purchase of 3 Swiftsure class Nuclear attack subs from the United Kindom, and the Indian Aircraft Carrier the Viraant.