RIYADH: Aerospace and defense firm Saudi Arabian Military Industries will become an authorized center for C-130 Hercules aircraft and Airbus rotorcraft platforms as it extends its maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities.
MRO services include the repair and refurbishment of highly engineered components and assemblies, such as cases, rotating life-limited parts, rotating air seals and turbine shrouds, as well as vanes and honeycomb air seals.
The Public Investment Fund-owned company signed two agreements with major original equipment manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Airbus Helicopters during the Farnborough International Airshow, held in the UK from July 22 to 26, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The deals fall in line with SAMI’s aim to be among the top 25 defense companies in the world by 2030. It also aligns with the Kingdom’s goal of strengthening its defense sector and boosting localization as a top priority, with Saudi Arabia targeting to domesticate 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030.
“The two partnerships underline our commitment to fostering local capabilities and reiterate our goal to further localizing the defense industry sector,” SAMI’s CEO Walid Abukhaled said.
Through the first deal, SAMI Alsalam will be certified as a Lockheed Martin 14-approved C-130 Hercules Service Center worldwide. The second agreement will see the company committing to localizing MRO capabilities through Airbus Helicopters to enhance rotorcraft competence.
The aviation sector in the Kingdom is experiencing substantial growth, due to billion-dollar investments in the Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy beyond fossil fuels and promote the private sector.
“We will continue to focus on training and developing national talent through such programs with leading global companies, aiming to support the localization of over 50 percent of government spending in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030,” Abukhaled added.
SAMI Aerospace Executive Vice President Abdulsalam Al-Ghamdi said: “The partnerships mark an important milestone, further enhancing our capabilities to provide maintenance, repair, overhaul, engineering services, and structural modification services with the highest international standards for C-130 Hercules platform.
“SAMI Alsalam Aerospace Industries will extend its support to the operators of these aircraft both regionally and internationally,” Al-Ghamdi added.
In February, Abukhaled said that Saudi Arabia’s social transformation is one of the “fastest in history” facilitated by the government.
Speaking at the World Defense Show 2024 at the time, the CEO added that significant changes are occurring that may not be immediately apparent.
