Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and Acting Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Bandar Alkhorayef participated in the RUKN Suppliers Meeting, organized by Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) under its RUKN Local Content and Supplier Development Program. The meeting was held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from November 11 to 12.
The meeting brought together SAMI Group companies, several Saudi companies, and industrial suppliers from Türkiye to explore localization opportunities, supply chain requirements, and ways to strengthen industrial cooperation between the two countries.
In his remarks, Alkhorayef affirmed that Saudi Arabia, with the support of its leadership, continues to develop advanced national industrial capabilities and attract high-value investments to its military industries sector. These efforts support Saudi Vision 2030’s target of localizing more than 50% of military spending by 2030 while strengthening military readiness and strategic autonomy.
He highlighted the close cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in the military industries sector and their shared membership in the G20, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
He further noted that military industries require advanced technologies and long-term investments, making strategic partnerships between Saudi and Turkish companies essential to strengthening cooperation. Such partnerships facilitate knowledge and technology transfer, workforce development, and the expansion of local manufacturing and maintenance capabilities. They also support localization targets and enhance companies' competitiveness in international markets.
Alkhorayef expressed his aspiration to translate the strong relations between the two countries into long-term investments and partnerships. These would help build industrial capabilities in the Kingdom, serve the domestic market, and support expansion into broader markets, generating sustainable economic value for both countries.
He also highlighted the contribution of SAMI’s RUKN Local Content Program to supplier development, identifying priority value chains, and increasing the participation of local manufacturers and suppliers in projects. These efforts aim to increase domestic production, raise the share of local content in procurement, facilitate technology and knowledge transfer, develop national talent, and create high-quality employment opportunities.
Alkhorayef emphasized the importance of establishing reliable and diversified supply chains to ensure production continuity and support military readiness. He noted that cooperation with Turkish and international companies offers opportunities to expand the supplier base, establish production capabilities within the Kingdom, and integrate them into international supply chains.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Alkhorayef met with President of the Turkish Defence Industry Agency (SSB) Prof. Haluk Görgün to discuss strengthening cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in the military industries sector and expanding industrial and technological partnerships.
Alkhorayef also visited Turkish company Baykar, which specializes in developing and manufacturing unmanned aerial systems. The visit aimed to strengthen engagement with international companies specializing in advanced military technologies and explore cooperation opportunities that support knowledge transfer and the development of national capabilities.
During the RUKN Suppliers Meeting, Alkhorayef met with several executives and representatives of Turkish companies to explore cooperation opportunities and exchange expertise. The discussions focused on facilitating knowledge transfer, localizing advanced technologies, and advancing localization targets.
Lastly, Alkhorayef toured the accompanying exhibition alongside Prof. Görgün, where they reviewed key industrial and technological capabilities presented by participating Saudi and Turkish companies.
