Description:Ship 1290
Three Al Riyadh (F3000S) Class multipurpose anti-air warfare frigates have been built by DCN of France for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. The 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 ships have been built at DCN's Lorient shipyard. The first of class, HMS Al Riyadh (812), was commissioned in July 2002. The second, HMS Makkah (814), was launched in July 2001 and was commissioned in April 2004. The third, HMS Al Damman (816), was launched in September 2002 and delivered in January 2004.
The ship's construction is carried out through the assembly of prefitted hull blocks. The hull has an overall length of 133m and a beam of 17m. The ship has a full load displacement of 4,500t and carries sufficient fuel and stores for a range of 7,000nm between replenishments. Maximum speed is 24.5kt.
The sides of the stealth frigate are sloped at 10° to minimise radar cross section, surfaces have been coated in radar-absorbent paint and the profiles of external features have been reduced. The vessel has a computer-controlled fin-and-rudder stabilisation system which keeps the flight deck operational for 10t class helicopters up to sea state 6.
The ship's highly automated combat management systems have been developed by SFCS, a subsidiary of Armaris. The SENIT 7 combat system is based on the Thales Tavitac 2000, with additional elements of the SENIT 8 system in service on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
