The Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) of the Kingdom and Leonardo announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the intention to discuss, develop and evaluate a range of investment and collaboration opportunities in the defence and aerospace sector.
The announcement was made Sunday during an official ceremony held at the World Defense Show (Riyadh, 4-8 February).
Multiple areas of collaboration will be considered and explored under the MoU to include space industry, airframe MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), localisation of electronic warfare systems and radars and assembly of helicopters. This MoU also offers the parties a focus on specialised areas of collaboration in both Combat Air and Cross-Domain Integration fields, where Leonardo is active on next generation technology initiatives and enabling demonstration projects. These areas could include uncrewed systems, integrated sensors, digital technologies, industrialisation processes and human capital development.
The parties will also explore opportunities for the national supply chain in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and, more extensively, the country’s role for Leonardo in the region as well as the global value chain.
According to Stefano Pontecorvo, Chairman of Leonardo, “this signing represents an important opportunity to consolidate defence cooperation and strengthen a joint vision for future Combat Air operations. But it also represents a platform through which to jointly develop new technologies, through the experience and capabilities of the parties.”
Lorenzo Mariani, Leonardo’s Co-General Manager, said: “We’re extremely pleased with today’s achievement announcing this MoU with MISA and GAMI. It allows us to develop a thorough evaluation of new collaboration opportunities in a wide range of fields, leveraging over 50 years of Leonardo’s presence and strong cooperation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We’re committed to working together to explore how we can strengthen our level of partnership with the Kingdom with high tech solutions and localised Research & Development (R&D), industrial and service capabilities.”
For decades, Leonardo has been supplying to the Kingdom platforms, systems, technologies and services including passenger transport, energy support and rescue rotorcraft, electronic systems and sensors, maritime defence and cyber capabilities as well as providing a key contribution in the air defence domain, among others.
This latest agreement represents the most recent step of Leonardo to reinforce its activities in the Kingdom, starting from the set up a regional hub in the Kingdom and creating new and multiple collaboration opportunities in a variety of sectors, benefitting from its long-established presence.
Collaborating with local technological partners, research establishments and end-users, Leonardo will be able to generate sustained development and production in the country. The MoU will significantly contribute to the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aimed at the implementation of unprecedented reforms in the public sector, diversifying the economy, empowering citizens and businesses to reach their full potential and creating innovative growth opportunities.
Leonardo is a leading global Aerospace, Defence and Security (AD&S) company. With 51,000 employees worldwide, it operates in the fields of Helicopters, Electronics, Aircraft, Cyber & Security and Space, and is a key partner in major international programmes including Eurofighter, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant industrial capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the US and also operates through subsidiaries, joint ventures and stakes, including Leonardo DRS (72.3%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50%), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%) and Avio (29.6%).
Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), Leonardo reported new orders of €17.3 billion in 2022, with an order backlog of €37.5 billion and consolidated revenues of €14.7 billion. The company is included in the MIB ESG index and has been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
