Leonardo DRS Signs Strategic Memorandum of Intent with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense
The U.S. defence technology firm and the Saudi Ministry of Defense agree to explore advanced combat systems collaboration aligned with Vision 2030
Leonardo DRS, a leading U.S. defence technology company, has signed a Memorandum of Intent with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense to explore collaboration on ground combat vehicles and dismounted forces capabilities as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 defence modernisation roadmap.
The agreement was finalised in Washington, D.C., following the announcement of a strategic defence agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia, underscoring deepening defence cooperation between allied partners.
Under the pact, Leonardo DRS and the Saudi Ministry of Defense will examine opportunities to integrate high-performance battle management systems that provide digital command-and-control tools designed to enhance real-time situational awareness, communication and coordination on the battlefield.
The proposed collaboration also encompasses advanced command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions for units at brigade level and below, ruggedised computing hardware such as multifunction displays, vehicle communications systems and mobile situational awareness capabilities for special forces and dismounted soldiers.
In addition to technology integration, the memorandum contemplates engineering services to support in-country integration teams on complex modernisation programmes across Saudi Arabia’s defence vehicle fleet, reflecting a comprehensive approach to capability enhancement.
Signing on behalf of Leonardo DRS was Bill Guyan, the company’s Senior Vice President for Business Development and President of International Business, while Eng.
Khalid Al-Jawini, Director of Projects for Procurement, represented the Saudi Ministry of Defense with oversight from the Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs.
The memorandum reinforces Leonardo DRS’s commitment to expand its footprint in the Middle East and support the Kingdom’s defence transformation objectives by potentially delivering cutting-edge technologies to strengthen land forces.
The initiative builds on the company’s previous agreements in the region, including partnerships aimed at localising production of ruggedised defence hardware, and aligns with parallel efforts to enhance interoperability and industrial cooperation under Saudi Arabia’s modernisation strategy.
As both parties advance discussions, the initiative is poised to contribute to the Kingdom’s strategic aim of fostering advanced defence capabilities and accelerating technology integration within its armed forces.
The agreement was finalised in Washington, D.C., following the announcement of a strategic defence agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia, underscoring deepening defence cooperation between allied partners.
Under the pact, Leonardo DRS and the Saudi Ministry of Defense will examine opportunities to integrate high-performance battle management systems that provide digital command-and-control tools designed to enhance real-time situational awareness, communication and coordination on the battlefield.
The proposed collaboration also encompasses advanced command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions for units at brigade level and below, ruggedised computing hardware such as multifunction displays, vehicle communications systems and mobile situational awareness capabilities for special forces and dismounted soldiers.
In addition to technology integration, the memorandum contemplates engineering services to support in-country integration teams on complex modernisation programmes across Saudi Arabia’s defence vehicle fleet, reflecting a comprehensive approach to capability enhancement.
Signing on behalf of Leonardo DRS was Bill Guyan, the company’s Senior Vice President for Business Development and President of International Business, while Eng.
Khalid Al-Jawini, Director of Projects for Procurement, represented the Saudi Ministry of Defense with oversight from the Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs.
The memorandum reinforces Leonardo DRS’s commitment to expand its footprint in the Middle East and support the Kingdom’s defence transformation objectives by potentially delivering cutting-edge technologies to strengthen land forces.
The initiative builds on the company’s previous agreements in the region, including partnerships aimed at localising production of ruggedised defence hardware, and aligns with parallel efforts to enhance interoperability and industrial cooperation under Saudi Arabia’s modernisation strategy.
As both parties advance discussions, the initiative is poised to contribute to the Kingdom’s strategic aim of fostering advanced defence capabilities and accelerating technology integration within its armed forces.
