SAMI’s unit, Lockheed Martin ink deal to set up composite manufacturing facility in Riyadh

Signing ceremony

SAMI Composites LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Co. (SAMI), signed an agreement with global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin to set up the Composites Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Riyadh, backed by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI).

The deal comes in an effort to enhance the Kingdom's aerospace manufacturing capabilities, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing SAMI statement today, July 19.

The agreement, which was signed in the UK on the sidelines of the 2022 edition of the Farnborough International Airshow, entails that the two companies will evaluate and develop the manufacturing plant over several stages. This is besides developing national industry-related cadres.

The establishment of the center comes as part of SAMI’s efforts to develop the Kingdom’s sustainable and self-sufficient defense industries sector, in line with goals of Vision 2030 to localize more than 50% of Saudi Arabia’s defense spending by the end of the current decade.

The new facility will help the Kingdom uplift its aerospace manufacturing capabilities in order to offer advanced solutions for the future.

Governor of GAMI Ahmad Al-Ohali said, “We look forward to the Composites Manufacturing Center of Excellence further bolstering Saudi Arabia’s strategic autonomy within the air domain, and more broadly in the defense sector.”