Building Defense Partnerships with Saudi Arabia

Why It Matters

These deals advance Saudi Arabia’s strategy to localize defense production and build sovereign capabilities, offering foreign suppliers a path to market through technology transfer and local teaming—shaping procurement, supply chains and regional military balance.

Summary

At the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Leonardo DRS outlined its push to build in-country defense capability under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, announcing teaming agreements with SAMI’s advanced electronics arm and an MoU with the Ministry of Defense to transfer technology for rugged computing, displays and EO/IR systems for local production. The company emphasized a partnership-first model—willingness to support Saudi firms as primes rather than lead contractors—to accelerate sovereign industrial growth. Leonardo DRS said it is positioning a full suite of systems for the market, including counter‑UAS radars and sensors, navigation, battle management, command-and-control, blue-force tracking, vehicle EO/IR and electronic warfare. Executives framed these moves as tailored responses to rising regional demand for integrated defensive systems.

Original Description

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to transform how government, local industries and outside partners work together. Bill Guyan, Senior Vice President, Business Development and President, International Business, Leonardo DRS explains how the company is working to build relationships with both the Saudi Arabian government and industry.