THE Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company has participated in the Africa Aerospace and Defense 2018 (AAD2018) exhibition, held last Sept. 19 - 23 at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Air Force Base in Centurion Street, Waterkloof, South Africa. The company aimed to enhance its presence in the African continent and explore new opportunities in this growing market.

Dr. Andreas Schwer, CEO of SAMI, expressed his delight that SAMI was part of this important international event to showcase its growing portfolio of military products and services in four key areas – Aeronautics, Land Systems, Weapons and Missiles, and Defence Electronics, which contributes to the company›s efforts to localize 50 percent of Saudi Arabia’s military spending, which is one of the most important targets of Vision 2030.

“The presence of the Saudi Military Industries Company (SAMI) at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Fair comes within the Kingdom›s intention to open cooperation and partnerships in the African Continent,” said Dr. Schwer. “The Saudi government is keen on establishing a new phase of strategic relations with South Africa to enhance its presence and strengthen its position. We look forward to new investment opportunities and to building joint ventures with South African companies for the benefit of the Saudi market, which is characterized by its promising opportunities and sustainable growth.”

Launched in May 2017, SAMI is a state-owned military industries company established by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to increase local content and build a sustainable and thriving military industries sector in the Kingdom. With a strategic framework in place, SAMI aims to contribute around SAR 14 billion directly to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, increase the value of national exports by about SR5 billion, invest over SR 6 billion for research and development, and create over 40,000 direct jobs locally, by the year 2030. — SG