Saudi-American agreements push the wheel of localization of military industries
Since His Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, Prince Muhammad bin Salman, announced the Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has put a major target in the localization of industry and technology, especially the military industries; Because it has the utmost importance in supporting the country's security and stability, targeting the localization of 50% of spending on the military sector by 2030.
According to the official website of the General Authority for Military Industries, the localization rate reached 19.35% by the end of 2023, while the authority aims to reach the localization rate of more than 50% of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030; As the authority works integrally with its partners from the public and private sectors to localize the military industries sector in Saudi Arabia by enabling local and international manufacturers, and opening licenses for them to invest in an attractive military industrial environment, they have qualitative investment opportunities, motivations that contribute to enabling local and international investors, in addition to enabling national competencies to contribute to supporting the ambitious localization process.
On this basis, the new scene can be read, and the size of the wealth of partnerships and the security and defensive agreements that Saudi Arabia concluded with the United States, in conjunction with the visit of US President Donald Trump to Riyadh.
With its American counterpart, the Saudi Ministry of Defense has entered into about 4 agreements and memoranda of understanding, which strengthens military cooperation between the two countries, and gives opportunities to develop human capabilities in the field of manufacturing and military development in Saudi Arabia, localizing jobs and transferring knowledge in military industries, and accelerating Saudi Arabia’s achievement of the goal of manufacturing 50% of its military needs, according to the aspirations of Vision 2030.
The most prominent agreements
The two countries were represented by the Saudi and American defense ministries, a memorandum of intent to update and develop the capabilities of the Saudi armed forces through future defense capabilities. they also signed a letter of intentions; To complete business, enhance joint cooperation, develop requirements related to ammunition, training, support services, maintenance, systems modernization, spare parts, and teach land and air systems of the Ministry of National Guard.
An intention was also signed between the two countries in the defense ministries of the two countries in developing the health capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces.
Among the military agreements is the signing of a sales deal, which exceeds the barrier of one hundred billion dollars between the two countries, according to which Washington will provide advanced combat equipment from more than 12 American defense companies. Sales, which are expected to be completed, will include 5 main areas:
1- The development of the Air Force and Space Capability.
2- Air and missile defense.
3- Naval and coastal security.
4- Border security and modernization of ground forces.
5- Upgrading information and communications systems.
There is no doubt that these major security and military agreements will be contribute in localizing military industries inside Saudi Arabia, and will also contribute to developing Saudi military capabilities, which enables KSA to deter the existing threats; and enhances its security and stability in light of the tensions in the region that requires raising the level of defensive readiness.