Saudi Navy decides to update the radar of Riyadh frigates

[The SC]

According to some sources, the Saudi Navy decided to change the ARABEL radar operating on the Saudi version of the Lafayette frigates (Riyadh, Dammam, Mecca) built by Naval Group in France and entered service between 2002-2004.

The ARABEL radar, developed by THALES, is tracking targets for Aster15 air defense missiles operating on Riyadh frigates, which work in conjunction with the DRBV-26D Jupiter early warning radar.

The Saudi navy wants to install an Italian radar, possibly the Leonardo KRONOS radar.


https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/cont...abandonneraient-larabel-pour-un-radar-italien

 

[Khafee]

According to some sources, the Saudi Navy decided to change the ARABEL radar operating on the Saudi version of the Lafayette frigates (Riyadh, Dammam, Mecca) built by Naval Group in France and entered service between 2002-2004.

The ARABEL radar, developed by THALES, is tracking targets for Aster15 air defense missiles operating on Riyadh frigates, which work in conjunction with the DRBV-26D Jupiter early warning radar.

The Saudi navy wants to install an Italian radar, possibly the Leonardo KRONOS radar.


https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/cont...abandonneraient-larabel-pour-un-radar-italien

KRONOS® NAVAL is a multi-functional radar based on advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, used on naval vessels of 400 gross tons and above. KRONOS NAVAL applications include point defence, air and sea surveillance, littoral warfare, and missile and gunfire support.

https://www.leonardocompany.com/documents/20142/3149618/KRONOS_Naval_LQ_mm07664_.pdf?t=1538987482815

 

[The SC]

KRONOS® NAVAL is a multi-functional radar based on advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, used on naval vessels of 400 gross tons and above. KRONOS NAVAL applications include point defence, air and sea surveillance, littoral warfare, and missile and gunfire support.

https://www.leonardocompany.com/documents/20142/3149618/KRONOS_Naval_LQ_mm07664_.pdf?t=1538987482815

​

​

CRONOS ASEA C-band can track 300 targets with a range of 250 km..

The Radar is very advanced and works on the Italian frame to run Aster30.. So it might be a sign that the Saudi Navy will procure the Aster 30 with it..

By the way, these Saudi frigates are equipped with A-50 platforms capable of accommodating the AS-15 and AS-30 and can add 16 more cells..Since the Saudi version is 4600t while the French Lafayette Class is only 3200t.. It will most likely get the Exocet block 3 too in line with the modernisation program under way..

 

[S.Y.A]

Saudis are rich af, so why are they not investing in a good, strong navy?

 

[burning_phoneix]

Saudis are rich af, so why are they not investing in a good, strong navy?

Several reasons:

1. Saudi is rich yes, but that doesn't mean infinite money. Saudi Arabia has been running budget deficits for several years as the need to diversify our economy away from oil will cost many billions, possibly trillions of dollars, to achieve.

2. Building a strong navy is more expensive than building a strong air force or Army, and Saudi Arabia is already investing several billions into upgrading the airforce and the Air Defense forces, which are seen as more pressing concerns.

3. With the US Navy presence in the Gulf was thought to be sufficient to counter the only real opposition at sea: Iran. In addition, after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the expansion of the Iranian Navy hit a major stumbling block, with Iran focusing on increasing its asymmetrical forces rather than large surface combatants

4. Having anything other than a littoral "Green water" navy is a waste for any nation with no interest in projecting power abroad, so anything larger than a frigate or maybe a destroyer is a waste for Gulf nations.

That being said, Saudi is already investing in the Saudi Naval Expansion Program II, which mostly involves the purchase of five modern corvettes and four MMSC variants of the US Navy Littoral Combat Ship

https://www.defenceiq.com/air-land-...s/snep-ii-modernisation-of-saudi-arabias-navy

 

[aziqbal]

and can only be used if given permission by manufacturers