Saudi Arabia Partners with Turkey to Accelerate Defense Manufacturing Localization
The agreements aim to boost Saudi Arabia's defense self-sufficiency by localizing land systems manufacturing.
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) has entered into technology transfer-focused agreements with three prominent Turkish defense companies to advance the localization of advanced land systems manufacturing in the Kingdom.
These collaborations were formalized under the auspices of key Saudi and Turkish officials, including Khalid bin Hussein Al-Biyari, Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, and Haluk Gorgun.
The agreements are part of a broader strategy guided by Vision 2030, which seeks to reduce the Kingdom's reliance on defense imports through national self-sufficiency.Driven by this vision, SAMI, established in 2017 and backed by the Public Investment Fund, aims to localize 50 percent of Saudi Arabia's defense spending by 2030.
This initiative involves strategic partnerships and joint ventures with leading global manufacturers to enhance the nation's defense capabilities.
Mohammed bin Saud Al-Hodaib, executive vice president of SAMI Land, oversaw the signing of these new agreements.Nurol Makina, FNSS Defense Systems, and Aselsan become partners in this endeavor through separate pacts that focus on various aspects of technology transfer and manufacturing collaboration.
For instance, Nurol Makina will engage in military vehicle production technology transfer, while FNSS will collaborate for armored combat vehicles and weapon turrets' manufacturing.
Additionally, ASELSAN (Askeri Elektronik Sanayi) will aid in localizing the production of combat turret systems.These collaborations will take place within the SAMI Land Industrial Complex (SLIC), set to begin operations by the fourth quarter of 2023.
SLIC is designed as a state-of-the-art manufacturing center adhering to international standards for land systems, employing Industry 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, and robotics.
This advanced approach aims to enhance operational efficiency and product quality.SAMI emphasizes its commitment to advancing the localization of Saudi Arabia's defense industries by developing sophisticated industrial capabilities that provide high-quality products and services across the entire product lifecycle.
The company aims to meet client needs effectively within the Kingdom.The significance of these partnerships extends beyond the agreements themselves; they also reflect broader strategic ties between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, particularly in the defense sector.
This collaboration supports the Kingdom's aspirations for more influential partnerships that drive economic growth and national development.In line with this effort, GAMI (General Authority for Military Industries) is taking steps to further enhance localization efforts.
The Saudi pavilion at IDEF 2025, a major international defense industry fair in Istanbul, saw significant developments with several memorandums of understanding signed between leading Turkish companies and Al-Esnad Factory, a Saudi private facility specializing in military parts manufacturing.The partnership's momentum is evident in SAMI's previous collaborations.
In July 2022, the company signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Turkish firms Baykar, Fergani Space, and Aselsan to localize capabilities in drones, aerospace, and advanced electronics.
This further solidifies bilateral defense cooperation and strengthens the Kingdom's industrial base.