Saudi modernising its Navy given the rising tension with Iran -

Riyadh: Tensions have been rising in the Persian Gulf due to the shaky stance of the US on the nuclear deal with Iran and the augmenting influence of Iran-aligned groups in Arab-Gulf countries. Considering this threat from Iran, Saudi Arabia has started modernising its Navy. As part of this, Saudi Arabia has purchased destroyers equipped with air defence systems and equipped for anti-submarine warfare for the Navy. The first of these destroyers have recently joined the Saudi Navy.

Moreover, an agreement was signed between the ‘Saudi Military Industries Company’ of Saudi Arabia and the Spanish shipbuilding company ‘Navantia’. According to this, the Spanish company will supply five 104-meter-long destroyers to Saudi Arabia. The first of these destroyers have recently arrived at the King Faisal Naval Base in Saudi Jeddah Port. Middle Eastern analysts claim that the Avante 2000 class destroyer ‘Al Jubail’ is multi-purpose. The destroyer is equipped with an air defence system and an anti-submarine system.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has decided to upgrade its Navy to protect its maritime interests from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea. Under this, Saudi has started procurement of destroyers, patrol boats and fast boats along with Avante class destroyers. Destroyers among these will be stationed in the Persian Gulf. The destroyers will provide security for Saudi boats travelling from the Red Sea coast through the Gulf of Aden. Western analysts say the deployment will protect from attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Over the years, Iran has expanded its influence from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea region. There have been incidents of Iranian destroyers and patrol boats attacking ships of other countries. Just last month, Iranian destroyers hijacked a UAE ship. At the same time, a US warship patrolling the Persian Gulf made a dangerous journey. Against this backdrop, Saudi Arabia seems to have started modernising its Navy for operations against Iran and Iran-affiliated terrorist organisations.