Yesterday, the coalition of Saudi companies specializing in the aviation industry signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at fostering cooperation and building Saudi industrial capabilities in the aviation and aircraft sectors, and supporting projects to localize the aviation industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in line with the Kingdom’s vision, with the goal of to raise the percentage of local industrial content to 50% by 2030.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Mr. Ali bin Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, CEO of Taqnia Aviation, Dr. Hamad bin Sulaiman Al-Yousifi, CEO of Taqnia Defense and Security; Mr. Yahya bin Hamoud Al-Gharibi, CEO of Al-Salam Aircraft Manufacturing; and Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Da’ilj, CEO of Advanced Electronics; Mr. Abdullah bin Ali Al-Omari, CEO of Middle East Engines, Mr. Imtiaz bin Mohammed Manzari, General Manager of Arab Advanced Systems, Mr. José Queiroz, CEO of Saudi Aerospace Engineering and Manufacturing Company; Dr. Mansour bin Abdulaziz bin Eid, CEO of Aircraft Component Company; and Mr. Neil Bevan, CEO of Helicopter Support Company.

The alliance initiative includes the participation and contribution of Saudi companies specializing in the aviation industry to support Taqnia Aviation’s projects, as Taqnia Aviation works to establish three aircraft production lines in the Kingdom in partnership with the aircraft’s main manufacturer. Its goal is to manufacture, assemble, test, and supply three types of aircraft and provide the necessary maintenance and support throughout the system’s lifecycle, as follows:

‌A. The Saudi-Ukrainian-made Antonov (AN-132) light transport aircraft,

‌B. The American-made multi-mission helicopter (Black Hawk),

‌c. A multi-size, multi-purpose unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system.