The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims to localize more than 50% of spending on military equipment and services by 2030.
Occurred Saudi Ministry of Defense Contract with the company Airbus Defense and Space, to purchase four Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker aircraft, with the aim of enhancing the operational capabilities of the Royal Saudi Air Force, as stated by Saudi Press Agency Official.
The contract was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defense by Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Bayari, and on behalf of Airbus Defense and Space by Chief Executive Officer of Air Capability Jean-Brice Dumont.
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Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs confirmed that the contract to purchase the new aircraft aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the Royal Saudi Air Force in air-to-air refueling operations, long-distance transport and shipping operations, in addition to enhancing the capabilities of the Ministry of Defense in transporting forces and equipment and developing the Kingdom’s defense capabilities.
In turn, the CEO of Air Capability at Airbus Defence and Space, said that the Airbus A330 MRTT is a new generation of transport and refueling aircraft, with a market share of about 90 percent outside the United States, with 82 orders worldwide. He pointed out that this contract is the third with the Saudi Ministry of Defense in the past few years, making the Royal Saudi Air Force one of the largest operators of this type of aircraft in the world.
It is worth noting that the General Authority for Military Industries had signed an industrial participation agreement with Airbus Defence and Space earlier this year; With the aim of localizing the manufacture of multi-role refueling aircraft and their component systems according to the latest international specifications and standards, in order to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to localize more than 50% of spending on military equipment and services by 2030.
The industrial participation agreement will contribute to the creation of manufacturing capabilities that support the development of the aviation industry in the Kingdom, including the development and training of local human capabilities in the fields of aircraft engineering, development and repair, enhancing safety, quality and supply chains in the Kingdom, in addition to logistical support, and operating and managing aircraft maintenance operations.
The agreement included the localization and transfer of technology and knowledge related to this type of aircraft, through SAMI Airbus, which operates under the umbrella of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI), as this step is in line with the company’s efforts and commitment to raising the standards and prospects of defense industries in the Kingdom and localizing military equipment and services.
