Saudi Arabia to produce its own military drone in drive to create one of the world's biggest defence industries

Saudi Arabia to produce its own military drone in drive to create one of the world's biggest defence industries
Saudi Arabia aims to spend 50 percent of its defence budget on local companies by 2030, seeking to make its defence industry a major revenue generator for its economy.
1 min read
07 March, 2022
Saudi Arabia is hoping to invest more in the development and production of military technology on its own soil (Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia aims to produce its own military drone and establish one of the world’s biggest munitions factories, according to local media.

'Sky Guardian' will be the first drone to be produced by the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), which signed an agreement with the kingdom's military regulator in October 2021, Al-Ekhbariya TV reported.

SAMI CEO Walid Abukhaled said Riyadh aimed to localise its defence sector with 50 percent of the kingdom's military budget going through Saudi companies by 2030 with SAMI being among the world's top 25 weapons makers. 

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The announcement was made during the bi-annual World Defense Show currently being held in Riyadh, which was aimed at providing a platform for different states to promote their military technologies.

This included Ukrainian and Russian military hardware competing for the limelight at the expo.

Saudi Arabia is attempting to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil as part of its Vision 2030 with weapons-making being a key part of this economic drive.

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