According to information published by the Saudi Gazette on January 18, 2022, the frigate Al Dammam from the Western Fleet of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces has carried out a "Crossing Exercise" in the Red Sea with the French frigate Chevalier Paul.
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Frigate Chevalier Paul and Al Riyadh-class frigate Al Dammam (Picture source: Saudi gazette)
The exercise included several combat hypotheses, with the participation of various ships and naval helicopters, aimed at raising the level of combat capability of the naval forces in various naval operations.
Al Dammam (816) is an Al Riyadh-class frigate of the Royal Saudi Navy. The frigate, is an expanded anti-air version of the French La Fayette class, displacing about 4,700 t (5,181 short tons) and extended to 133 m (436 ft 4 in) in length.
The ships' combat system is armed with Aster 15 Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) launched from Sylver Vertical Launching System.
As with the LaFayette class, the primary offensive weapon is the anti-surface Exocet missile. The ships' main gun is the OTO Melara 76 mm super-rapid firing gun. There are also four aft-mounted 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes, firing DTCN F17 heavyweight anti-submarine torpedoes.
