SUSTG.com / Research

Discover stories, topics, and more about Saudi Arebia faster.

Recent stories from sustg

MUST-READS

  • Saudi Arabia’s Defense Industry Seeking Local Assembly Of Helos

    During the World Defense Show here, both Leonardo and Turkish Aerospace signed agreements with Saudi entities on Feb. 4 to explore the potential of assembling aircraft for the domestic market. Fellow OEM Airbus Helicopters signed a similar agreement during last year’s Paris Air Show with Scopa, a Saudi defense company establishing agreements with Western defense companies.

  • Iran at Saudi Defense Show Signals Warmer Ties in Time of War

    Iranian military officials attended the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia this week, a sign that ties remain cordial between the two despite the ripple effects of the Israel-Hamas war across the region. A delegation from Tehran met with Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff, Fayyadh al-Ruwaili, during the event, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported. It’s likely the first trip of its kind since the two traditional foes agreed to restore relations almost a year ago.

  • Saudi defense minister discusses regional developments during call with US counterpart

    Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed recent regional and international developments with his US counterpart during a phone call on Monday. Prince Khalid and Lloyd Austin reviewed Saudi-US relations and ways to bolster defense cooperation between the two countries. The officials also spoke about the need to de-escalate tensions in the region to achieve security and stability, Prince Khalid said

  • Saudi Arabia pushes for US defense pact as 2024 presidential election looms

    To create some wiggle room in talks about recognizing Israel and to get the U.S. pact back on track, Saudi officials have told their U.S. counterparts that Riyadh would not insist Israel take concrete steps to create a Palestinian state and would instead accept a political commitment to a two-state solution, two senior regional sources told Reuters.

  • Saudi GAMI Signs 11 Agreements with Global Military Defense Industry Companies

    Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih and Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Eng. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali witnessed on Monday the signing ceremonies of 11 cooperation agreements and several joint memoranda of understanding with various international companies specialized in military and defense industries. The ceremonies took place on the sidelines of the World Defense Show, which is being held in Riyadh from February 4 to 8. The agreements focus on building the capacity of vital fields. They entail, among others, transfer and localization of technology, establishment of local production lines, and training and developing national talent in these fields. These agreements and MoUs contribute to the strategic objectives of the Kingdom's military industries, such as localizing defense manufacturing, improving military readiness, enhancing industrial participation, and creating investment opportunities that support the Vision 2030 goal of localizing 50% of military equipment and services spending by 2030.

  • Saudi defense minister inaugurates World Defense Show 2024

    The defense minister toured the exhibition, which features participation from over 773 exhibitors representing more than 75 countries, alongside numerous government entities and leading local and international companies in the defense and security sector. He also viewed the aerial displays, static aircraft exhibitions, and ground equipment in the display area. Speaking on the occasion, GAMI Gov. Ahmad Al-Ohali, said that the Kingdom has begun to reap the benefits of the huge support extended by the country’s leadership, with localization rates in the defense sector increasing from 4 percent to 13.6 percent at the end of 2022.

  • Huge draw for Saudi made Lucid EV, equipped with drone and AI, at Riyadh World Defense Show

    The first ever Saudi made Lucid electric vehicle, equipped with drone and artificial intelligence technologies, is on display at the World Defense Show, which kicked off in Riyadh on Sunday. Large number of people are visiting this smart patrol vehicle, which is a major attraction at the pavilion of the Ministry of Interior in the show. The electric vehicle which will start being used within the fleet of security patrol vehicles in Saudi Arabia, would have several security features, supported by AI technologies, in the Saudi security forces’ drive in accomplishing their mission.

  • Defense Ministers From Saudi-Led Counterterrorism Coalition Meet In Riyadh

    The second meeting of defense ministers from the member states of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition took place in Riyadh on Saturday. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who also serves as chairman of the coalition’s Council of Defense Ministers, inaugurated the meeting. Under the theme “Combating Terrorism: A Shared Responsibility,” the talks were attended by 42 IMCTC member states as well as three supporting countries.

  • Thales aims to double presence in Saudi Arabia, focus on defense and cybersecurity: CEO 

    French defense technology firm Thales aims to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, propelled by the “massive” investments and opportunities in the nation, according to a top executive.  Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the World Defense Show, the company’s chairman and CEO, Patrice Caine, expressed the firm’s aspirations to expand its existing defense presence in Saudi Arabia, particularly in fields such as cybersecurity.  He said: “In addition to our defense activity, we will reinforce our cybersecurity field.” 

  • Saudi companies to make parts for Lockheed’s THAAD defense system

    U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has signed agreements for Saudi Arabian companies to manufacture parts of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, the company said on Monday. These sub-contracts will enhance manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia and transfer expertise to strengthen the country’s defence industry, Lockheed said in a statement. State-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) signed 11 agreements at the Saudi defence show in Riyadh, according to the country's state news agency. The contracts come at time of rising tension in the region as some shipping companies suspended transit along the busy Red Sea route to avoid being attacked by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi group.