Abu Dhabi (Al Ittihad)
SAMI, the leading national partner in the defense and security industries sector, one of the Public Investment Fund companies, inaugurated the Ground Systems Industrial Park in the Riyadh region, in Al-Kharj, which aims to localize defense industries and build local capacities in the field of engineering and design of ground systems, in addition to testing and qualifying systems. Providing comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul services and integrated logistical support.
This took place within the activities of the International Defense Exhibition “IDEX 2023”, which will be held from February 20 to 24 in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.
With the launch of the complex, an agreement was signed with Ghafri Associates, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the UAE, Turki bin Abdullah Al-Dakhil, His Excellency Eng. Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Youssef Ghafri.
The agreement, which was signed with Ghaffrey Associates, provides for the design of the complex dedicated to the manufacture of armored vehicles, the integration and harmonization of advanced ground systems, the manufacture, assembly, testing and maintenance of ground systems, which leads to the development of the defense industries sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Commenting on the signing of this agreement, the engineer said Waleed bin Abdul Majeed Abu Khaled, CEO of SAMI: “We are proud to launch the industrial complex for ground systems and to sign this agreement with a leading company in the field of industrial facilities, which will open horizons for international cooperation with major regional and international companies.”
He added, “This participation comes as an affirmation of the unlimited support and care of the defense and security industries sector in the Kingdom from the wise leadership, towards strengthening the strategic independence of the Kingdom, developing its national defense industrial capabilities, and striving to support the localization of this promising sector by more than 50%.” From spending on military equipment and services by 2030, so that the sector becomes an important tributary for the Saudi economy, through technology transfer, support for the local investor, job creation for Saudis, and maximizing its contribution to the national economy.
Youssef Ghafry continued: “We are pleased to witness this great occasion with you today, and Ghafry is honored to be part of this very important project. We look forward to providing our in-depth manufacturing experience to the success of the Center of Excellence for the production of the latest land military vehicles, and we are proud to be contributors to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
