Spain to sell warships to Saudi Arabia, $2.2bn framework deal signed

Spain and Saudi Arabia have signed a framework agreement to sell the Gulf Arab state warships under a deal estimated to be worth around $2.2 billion, Reuters said. Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and Spain’s defense minister signed an “executive summary to facilitate the necessary procedures” for the Saudi Defense Ministry to sign a contract with Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia for the supply of warships, according to a Saudi government statement. Another agreement was signed between state-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company and Navantia. Under the deal, Navantia would sell five small warships, Spain’s army would train Saudi military personnel and contractors would build a naval construction center in the kingdom, a Spanish Defense Ministry source said.