In May 2017, SAMI signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with defense contractors
Boeing,
Lockheed Martin,
Raytheon and
General Dynamics. In October 2017, SAMI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Russia's
Rosoboronexport to manufacture military equipment in Saudi Arabia. The agreement provides for the transfer of technology for the local production of the
S-400 Triumf, the
Kornet-M system, the
TOS-1A, the
AGS-30 and the
AK-103. In January 2018, on the sidelines of the launch of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, SAMI inked the establishment of two new joint ventures with
Thales and
John Cockerill. The scope of the joint venture signed with
Thales includes
short range air defense and
counter-rockets radars,
C2s, multi-mission missiles, fuses for
Guided bomb, and inter-communication radios. The project aims to invest in the facilities and equipment in the local market, at a localization ratio of 70%, while around 2,000 direct and
indirect jobs will be generated for Saudi youth. The second joint venture agreement, which is signed with
John Cockerill, includes delivering multifunctional high-power turret systems for armored vehicles and all related services, providing in-country research and development and prototyping, design and systems engineering, supplier and material management, manufacturing, assembly and test, fielding and support, and upgrades, and integration of other OEM products and services. The project is expected to realize a localization rate of 60%, in addition to offering more than 700 direct and indirect jobs for the Saudi youth. In November 2018, SAMI and
Navantia announced the launch of their joint venture, ‘SAMI Navantia Naval Industries,’ following the agreement signed by both parties to design and build 5 Avante 2200 corvettes with Combat Management System for the
Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia. SAMI Navantia Naval Industries will focus on program management and naval combat system integration, system engineering and architecture, hardware design, and software development, testing and verification, prototyping, simulation, and modelling, in addition to the installation and integration of combat systems on the last two vessels of the Avante 2200 project, as well as the logistical support and training programs. In February 2019, SAMI and
Naval Group entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to create a joint venture company in Saudi Arabia’s naval defense domain. On 4 July 2024, SAMI announced the signing of three MOUs with Turkish companies to localize defense industries in Saudi Arabia. The agreements included a partnership with
Baykar to set up manufacturing capabilities and develop UAV systems. Another MOU was signed with
Aselsan to advance defense electronics technologies. Moreover, SAMI signed a deal with Fergani Space to support emerging space technologies. == See also ==