GAMI Concludes Its Participation in Farnborough International Airshow 2024

The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) concluded its participation in Farnborough International Airshow 2024, held in London, UK, over five days with extensive international involvement. GAMI's goal through this engagement was to assist national and major international companies in the defense industry in achieving national targets in the process of localizing the sector by more than 50% of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030 by creating an inviting investment environment that encourages, supports, and welcomes investors from across the globe to this vital sector.

During the exhibition, His Excellency Eng. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI, observed the signing of two agreements between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Airbus Helicopters, and Lockheed Martin. The agreements aim to enhance local capabilities and support the GAMI's efforts to develop the aviation and aerospace sector in the region.

The first agreement involves Saudi Arabia, represented by 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, meeting 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 on both regional and global scales.

The second agreement stipulates SAMI’s commitment to localize helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul, in partnership with Airbus Helicopters, to enhance Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in helicopter repair services.

GAMI's participation witnessed various international meetings and partnerships aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of military and defense industries, exchanging expertise, as well as introducing the supply chains established by GAMI to enhance promising investment opportunities for local and foreign SMEs and the local capabilities in the military industries sector in the Kingdom that meet the practical needs of military equipment.

During the exhibition, GAMI presented its primary responsibilities, domestic priorities, localization and empowerment initiatives, and appealing investment incentives in the military industries sector. Furthermore, it 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 localize over 50% of government expenditure on military equipment and services by 2030.

The participation of GAMI in international exhibitions focused 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 environment for military industries that are subject to regulations and legislation that encourage investment. 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.