The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) concluded its participation in Farnborough International Airshow, held last week in London, UK, with extensive international involvement.

GAMI’s goal through this engagement was to enable national and major international companies in the defense industry to achieve national targets in the process of localizing the sector, with more than 50% of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030, by creating an investment environment that encourages, supports, and welcomes investors from across the globe to this vital sector.

During the airshow, GAMI Governor Eng. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali presided over the signing of agreements between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Airbus Helicopters, and Lockheed Martin. The agreements aim to enhance local capabilities and support GAMI’s efforts to develop the aviation and aerospace sector in the region, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

One agreement entails SAMI Alsalam Aerospace Industries becoming part of a select group of 14 nations that have approved service centers for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of Lockheed Martin's C-130 Hercules aircraft, based on the most stringent international quality criteria. Additionally, the agreement covers services for systems and structural modifications.

As per the terms of the agreement, SAMI Alsalam Aerospace Industries offers assistance to operators of these aircraft both regionally and globally.

As per the other agreement, SAMI commits to localizing helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul in partnership with Airbus Helicopters, to enhance Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in helicopter repair services.

During the show, GAMI participated in various international meetings and partnerships aimed at enhancing cooperation in the military and defense field and exchanging expertise. GAMI also showcased the supply chains it has established to enhance promising investment opportunities for local and foreign small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), highlighting the local capabilities in the Kingdom’s military industries sector that fulfill the operational requirements of military forces.

GAMI also highlighted its primary responsibilities, domestic priorities, localization and empowerment initiatives, and appealing investment incentives in the military sector. It also emphasized the capabilities of the Saudi military and defense industries, along with the significant accomplishments in developing industrial and service capabilities in the Kingdom, in line with its strategic objective to ensure that over 50% of government spending on military equipment and services is directed towards domestic suppliers by 2030.

GAMI’S participation in international exhibitions focusing on defense and security reflects one of the goals for which it was established, which is to review the capabilities of the military industries sector in the Kingdom and enhance its essential role in building a vibrant and prosperous economy by creating and developing an encouraging investment environment for military industries.

Through its unified platform for military industries on its website, GAMI offers services for military licensing, human capital development, military standards and specifications, localization, and military industries. It offers its services to individuals, local companies, government entities, and educational institutions.