As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to localize 50% of the total military spending by 2030, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Boeing have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to develop a new joint venture to localize more than 55% of the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for fixed and rotary-wing military aircraft in Saudi Arabia. The MoA will also transfer technology for the weapons needed to support these aircraft.
The signing ceremony took place as part of a visit by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Boeing’s aircraft manufacturing facilities in Seattle. The agreement was signed by H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, chairman of SAMI, and Dennis Muilenburg, chairman, president, and CEO of Boeing, at Boeing’s commercial manufacturing facility in Everett, Wash.
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Boeing signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to develop a new joint venture for increased aircraft MRO services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). (Courtesy of Boeing)
“Boeing has a long-standing commitment to Saudi Arabia, and is extremely keen on expanding its footprint in the country,” said Al-Khateeb. “Inspired by the vision of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SAMI, on the other hand, is exploring all collaborative opportunities to build a strong autonomous military industries ecosystem in the Kingdom.”
“We deeply appreciate the trust that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in general—and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally—are placing in Boeing to help deliver Vision 2030 with this new joint venture.” added Muilenburg. “Our relationship with the Kingdom dates back more than 70 years, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership in support of the Kingdom’s national security and aerospace industry needs.”
The relationship began in 1945 with the presentation of a Dakota DC-3 aircraft manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, Boeing’s heritage company to Saudi Arabia by U.S. resident Franklin D. Roosevelt.
