Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit France in January.

[The SC]

Laudrian: We admire the reforms of the Kingdom
Saudi Crown Prince to visit France in early 2018

RIYADH: French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Laudrian said Thursday that France wants to strengthen its economic ties with Saudi Arabia during a visit by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in early January 2018.

Prince Mohammed, 32, the son of King Salma bin Abdul Aziz, offered in 2016 a broad program to diversify the Saudi economy that relies heavily on oil, of which the price has fallen in recent years. He also carried out major social reforms for the benefit of youth and women in particular.

"We admire the reforms you are making today within the framework of Vision 2030+, which includes an ambitious plan for the social and economic development of the Kingdom," Laudrian said at a forum organized by the Musk Youth and Innovation Foundation.

He said the two countries are determined to promote a "solid" partnership.

"We have set a course that allows France to keep up with the ambitious reforms of the 2030+ vision in the economic sphere," he said later at a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart Adil al-Jubeir.

"A road map will be drawn up in the areas of projects, prospects and possible agreements "in preparation for the Saudi Crown Prince's visit, he said. Indicating that the areas concerned are the maritime sector, energy and transport..

http://elaphjournal.com/Web/News/2017/11/1177173.html

 

[The SC]

In 2014, KSA was interested in buying 6 FREMM frigates.

Royal Saudi Navy would be interested to procure 6 FREMM frigates

According to French financial newspaper La Tribune Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, could sign a letter of intent (LOI) with the French Government for 6 FREMMs during his visit in Paris in early September. French Navy's FREMM multi-mission frigates are designed and built by DCNS. Five hulls have already been launched, with three Frigates delivered to the French Navy and one to the Royal Moroccan Navy.

FREMM Frigate Normandie during sea trials in the Mediterranean

Contacted by Navy Recognition, no DCNS representatives were available to comment the information at the time of publishing.

The information would confirm however that Saudi Arabia is currently seeking to increase its naval power. The Saudi Navy is currently upgrading its fleet through contracts and programs signed with the French naval defence company:
» The LEX contract relates to the maintenance of 4 Madina-class frigates (frigates 2000) and two Boraida-class replenishment oilers built in the frame of the Sawari1 program.
» The ERAV contract covers the maintenance of 3 Al Riyadh-class frigates (frigates 3000) delivered in the frame of the Sawari 2 programme.
» The AMWAJ contract relates to support to the Royal Saudi Navy in terms of spare-parts supply and technical assistance.

There were also unconfirmed rumors earlier this year about negotiations between Germany and Saudi Arabia for the delivery of a large number of patrol boats as well as submarines.

Should the sale of 6 FREMM Frigates to Saudi Arabia be confirmed, this would relieve some of the pressure on the next French defense budget (loi de programmation militaire) because part of the 6 Frigates would likely be picked from the current assembly line destined for the French Navy. Delivery of the first vessels to the Royal Saudi Navy would, as a consequence, be pretty quick.

DCNS built Al Riyadh class Frigate 816 AL DAMMAM of the Royal Saudi Navy
Picture: DCNS

Designed and built by DCNS, FREMM type Frigates are heavily armed: MM40 Blk III Exocet anti-ship missiles, Aster anti-air missiles and MU90 torpedoes. With the French Navy, the first nine frigates will predominantly conduct anti-submarine warfare missions, while the last two frigates, specialised in anti-aircraft warfare, are designed to protect a carrier or amphibious battle group against aircraft and missiles. All FREMM can also accommodate the Caïman Marine helicopter (NH90 NFH), as well as Special Forces and their equipment.

In November 2012, DCNS successfully delivered the FREMM Aquitaine, the first unit in the series of FREMM multi-mission frigates. The second unit in the program, the FREMM Mohammed VI, was delivered to the Royal Moroccan Navy on 30 January 2014.

DCNS is currently building five other multi-mission frigates in Lorient, all at different stages of advancement:

- The FREMM Normandie, third unit in the series and the second for the French Navy, started its sea trials in October 2013 and will be delivered to the French Navy at the end of 2014;
- The FREMM Provence was floated in September 2013 and will perform its first sea outing in the third quarter of 2014;
- The FREMM Languedoc was floated in July 2014;
- 2 other FREMMs are currently under construction.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/inde...-to-procure-6-fremm-frigates-from-france.html

 

[Dai Toruko]

A puppet visiting other puppets.

 

[The SC]

A puppet visiting other puppets.

So leave the puppets between them!
Did you know that most Saudi corvettes are French? That France is well advanced in the energy and transport fields? So there is a lot to gain from France now a days, mostly when ToT is involved in both the civilian and military fields..

 

[Enigma_]

Visiting his masters I see.

 

[The SC]

Who doesn't like Fremm frigates?