Saudi Industry Minister holds talks in Italy to localize helicopter manufacturing

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef meets Leonardo Chairman Stefano Pontecorvo

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held talks with the Chairman of Italy’s Leonardo Co. Stefano Pontecorvo in Milan.

The discussions focused on localizing helicopter component manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The localization includes aircraft structures, propellers, fins, and electronic aviation systems.

Leonardo, a global leader in aviation, defense, and security, has partnered with the Kingdom for over 50 years, providing platforms, systems, and services such as rescue helicopters, electronic systems, and cybersecurity.

Saudi Arabia aims to enhance the aviation value chain by developing supply chains for materials such as titanium and aluminum.

The Kingdom also seeks to strengthen aircraft maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) services, manufacture engine and drone parts, localize the maintenance of navigation systems and aircraft structures, as well as advance satellite capabilities.