Rolls-Royce has marked a significant milestone in its Middle East operations ahead of a major international defence exhibition, confirming that Saudi nationals now represent more than eighty percent of its workforce in the Kingdom.

The announcement underscores the scale of localisation achieved through long-running industrial partnerships aligned with Saudi Arabia’s national development objectives.

The company said the workforce transformation reflects sustained investment in skills development, engineering training, and technology transfer under localisation programmes supported by Saudi authorities.

Over recent years, Rolls-Royce has expanded its presence across defence, power systems, and services, working closely with Saudi partners to build domestic capabilities while supporting regional security and infrastructure needs.

Executives noted that the high proportion of Saudi employees demonstrates the maturity of the Kingdom’s industrial ecosystem and the success of policies aimed at creating high-value employment for citizens.

The company’s Saudi operations now span advanced maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities, as well as engineering and digital services, contributing to both national resilience and export-oriented growth.

The milestone comes as Rolls-Royce prepares to showcase its latest defence and aerospace technologies at the upcoming exhibition, where Saudi Arabia is expected to play a prominent role.

The strong localisation figures reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a strategic industrial partner and highlight the deepening alignment between international defence firms and Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic vision.