Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI) is coordinating with the INTRA Defense Technologies to manufacture unmanned aircraft (drones) systems.

INTRA launched the work of developing, manufacturing and maintaining unmanned aircraft systems. The project is scheduled to begin operation during the first quarter of 2021, with an expected investment amounting to SR750 million.

Eng. Ahmed Al-Ohali, governor of the GAMI, said that the project for the maintenance, manufacture and localization of unmanned aircraft systems reflects the general strategy of the authority and is based on its three pillars: industry, research and technology and procurement. He said the 25 companies operating in the field of military industries have been given licenses by the GAMI so far.

For his part, CEO of Intra Defense Technologies Salman Al-Shathri said that the project to develop maintenance, manufacture and Saudization of unmanned aircraft systems will start operation during the first quarter of 2021. The average rate of Saudization in the project is estimated at 60 percent of all businesses and components. “

This project will create approximately 500 direct jobs, with a Saudization of 70 percent of the total number of jobs. The project also aims to achieve a percentage of foreign exports, which is estimated to be at 60 percent of the total business volume,” he added.