President Sami: Strategy to build a sovereign defense industry in Saudi Arabia
The leadership of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI) affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is moving steadily and rapidly towards achieving its strategic goal of building an integrated sovereign defense industry, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 set by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The context of the establishment and the ambitious national vision
These trends come at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing a historic transformation in the defense and security sector. Since the establishment of SAMI in 2017 as a national entity wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, the Kingdom has set its sights on a major goal of localizing more than 50% of government military spending by 2030. This transformation not only aims to reduce the import bill, but fundamentally seeks to transform the Kingdom from a consumer of defense technologies into a regional and global hub for the development and manufacturing of these systems.
The concept of defensive sovereignty and its strategic importance
The emphasis on a "sovereign defense industry" reflects the Kingdom's desire to possess the full capability to develop, manufacture, and maintain its defense systems domestically. This ensures independence in political and military decision-making and guarantees the continuity of supply chains during times of crisis and geopolitical tensions. The company is working to achieve this by focusing on vital sectors including air systems, land systems, weapons and missiles, defense electronics, and modern and future technologies.
Global partnerships and knowledge transfer
To achieve this qualitative leap, the Kingdom adopted a smart strategy based on entering into joint ventures with major global defense companies. These partnerships are no longer limited to traditional procurement contracts, but now stipulate the transfer of knowledge and intellectual property (IP) and the localization of technology within Saudi factories. This approach contributes to building a solid industrial base and an advanced technological infrastructure that meets international standards.
Economic impact and human resource development
Beyond its security and strategic importance, the military industries sector plays a pivotal role in the non-oil national economy. These efforts contribute to creating thousands of high-quality job opportunities for young Saudi men and women in specialized fields such as engineering, programming, and research and development. SAMI also aims to be among the top 25 defense companies globally, which will enhance the Kingdom's position as an industrial powerhouse, support the GDP, and open new export opportunities to regional and international markets in the near future.
