RIYADH: Recent regional attacks are accelerating Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen its domestic military industries, rather than disrupting its localization plans, Bandar Al-Khorayef, the acting governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), told Arab News. Speaking at the Military Industries Forum in Riyadh, Al-Khorayef emphasized that the heightened security challenges are reinforcing the strategic importance of the Kingdom’s localization initiatives.
“The situation is driving localization forward. These conflicts underscore the rationale behind our policy and highlight the need to accelerate progress,” Al-Khorayef stated. He added that the current environment is also creating opportunities for private-sector engagement with end users, enabling a deeper understanding of operational needs and daily requirements.
Drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic, Al-Khorayef noted how crisis-driven urgency accelerated localization in sectors like pharmaceuticals and vaccines. “The pressure of the pandemic fast-tracked our self-reliance in critical products such as vaccines, insulin, and plasma—progress that might not have occurred otherwise,” he explained.
According to Al-Khorayef, GAMI’s success in advancing localization stems from a robust policy framework and strong collaboration among stakeholders, including defense entities, ministries, and the private sector. He outlined GAMI’s approach, which requires international contractors to work closely with end users and regulators to integrate localization targets into every program phase.
“By building a transparent, policy-driven ecosystem, we are fostering conditions for long-term sustainability,” he said. He also highlighted that Saudi Arabia’s industrial base, developed over the past decade under Vision 2030 and the national industrial strategy, forms the foundation for future military industry growth.
The boundary between general and military industries is increasingly blurred, with dual-use technologies representing approximately 80% of the military sector. This convergence presents opportunities for global investors to establish facilities serving both local and export markets, supported by Saudi Arabia’s strong infrastructure, competitive energy costs, and strategic geographic location.
Al-Khorayef further emphasized the Kingdom’s balanced international relations, stable economic policies, and favorable investment climate as key drivers for sustained growth. Now in its third year, the Military Industries Forum—organized by GAMI under the theme “Developing and Sustaining Investment in the Military Industries Sector”—serves as a platform for government agencies, domestic companies, and international partners to collaborate. It also provides updates on annual localization achievements in military spending.