Al Madinah-class (F-2000S)

The Al Madinah class is a series of four frigates operated by the Royal Saudi Navy. Ordered in October 1980 under the Sawari programme, the vessels were built in France by the Arsenal de Marine in Lorient and CNIM in La Seyne during the mid-1980s. The first ship of the class, Al Madinah, entered service in 1985, and the fourth, Taif, in 1986. The ships of the class are named after Saudi cities: Al Madinah, Hofouf, Abha, and Taif.

The frigates are propelled by diesel engines. Shipboard electronics include search, navigation, and fire control radars, alongside hull-mounted and variable depth sonar systems. The electronic warfare suite consists of electronic support measures, a combat control system, and decoy chaff launchers. For armament, the vessels are equipped with surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, a dual-purpose main gun, anti-aircraft guns, and torpedo tubes. The ship design also includes an aft flight deck and hangar to support a Dauphin helicopter.

All four Al Madinah-class frigates are based in the Red Sea. In August 2013, Saudi Arabia signed a contract with the French ODAS agency to modernize the vessels. On 30 January 2017, Al Madinah was attacked by Yemeni Houthi militia off the western coast of Yemen in the Red Sea. The attack resulted in two Saudi sailors killed and three injured. Houthi forces stated they targeted the ship with a missile, while Saudi authorities stated the vessel was struck by three suicide boats.