DCNS, the French shipbuilding and naval defense company, has inaugurated a facility in the country dedicated to meeting the military needs of Saudi Arabia.

Modernization and maintenance programs at the facility in Toulon will correspond to different service contracts DCNS now has with Saudi Arabia, including LEX, or life extension, which was initiated last year.

"The Saudi Arabia platform reflects the effective launch of this program by our teams," said Nathalie Smirnov, director of the DCNS Services division. "The execution of the first technical shutdown to start on the frigate Abha in Jeddah will represent a further step in addressing the challenges of this major contract."

The major naval shutdown Smirnov refers to vessel maintenance periods which can stretch over weeks or months depending on work to be done.

DCNS said its services -- design, preparation, purchasing, provisioning of replacement parts and equipment -- will be delivered partly in France. On-site work on Saudi Arabian vessels will be performed in the country by its subsidiary, Support KSA.

Contracts currently held by DCNS from Saudi Arabia are for the maintenance of four Madina-class frigates, two Boraida-class replenishment oilers, and maintenance of three Al Riyadh-class frigates.