Saudi Arabia is spotlighting its military products and the accomplishments of national companies and government entities at the Saudi pavilion during this year’s China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2024, which began on Tuesday in Zhuhai and will continue until Nov. 17.
The Saudi pavilion features a range of military products, especially in aviation, highlighting the efforts of national companies within the military industries sector. The exhibit also underscores the Kingdom's push to enhance its manufacturing capabilities, with a target of localizing over 50 percent of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030.
Ahmad Al-Ohali, Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, inaugurated events at the pavilion, joined by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili and Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to China, Abdulrahman Al-Harbi. Attendees included officials, international investors and leaders in the aviation and aerospace sectors.
Al-Ohali stated, “This strategic participation, occurring for the first time in China, aims to enhance the Kingdom’s global presence in the military industries sector and to solidify its position as one of the fastest-growing economies among the G20 nations.
“Our participation also seeks to establish fruitful international partnerships to empower and develop the military industries sector, while also promoting the Kingdom’s message of welcoming investors from around the world. Additionally, it aims to highlight the key objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 within the military sector".
The defense sector is anticipated to contribute $17 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy by 2030, along with an additional $9 billion to non-oil revenues, creating 100,000 direct and indirect jobs by the end of the decade.
The Saudi pavilion includes representation from government bodies like the Ministry of Investment and the General Authority for Defense Development, as well as leading national companies, including the National Company for Mechanical Systems, Saudi Wakeb Company for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems, Milestone Aviation and Homat Al-Watan Co.
The General Authority for Military Industries collaborates with various partners and government bodies to empower both national and international companies in the military sector, enhance the defense sector’s capabilities and open investment opportunities. The authority also prioritizes localizing advanced aerospace technologies to foster Saudi economic growth and bolster the Kingdom's defense and security autonomy.