Saudi Arabia has long been one of the world’s leading defense spenders, investing heavily in platforms and systems that safeguard its sovereignty and reinforce its role as a regional power. Under Vision 2030, however, the Kingdom’s defense strategy is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The focus is shifting from being a consumer of foreign technology to becoming a producer, maintainer, and regional hub for defense capability and industrial expertise.

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To achieve this ambition, Saudi Arabia must do more than purchase advanced systems. It must embed the industrial base, technical knowledge, and sustainment capacity necessary to operate and evolve these systems independently over time. The vision is to create a sovereign defense ecosystem that endures, one that generates knowledge, supports jobs, and ensures the Kingdom’s long term readiness and autonomy.

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Through close collaboration with Saudi stakeholders and leading original equipment manufacturers from the United States and Europe, Karen Thomasine is helping introduce a diverse portfolio of defense systems into the Kingdom. This includes both next generation technologies and modernization programs for existing fleets already in service. The objective is not limited to procurement; it is about creating enduring capability through maintenance, lifecycle management, and industrial integration.

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The goal is clear: to establish Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for defense production, maintenance, and training. This involves the acquisition of advanced systems across land, air, naval, and cyber domains; the localization of manufacturing and maintenance operations to keep spending within the Kingdom; and the training of Saudi engineers, technicians, and operators to build a skilled national workforce. Technology transfer agreements and integrated sustainment models ensure that mission critical systems remain operational under Saudi control. This effort directly supports the mandate of the General Authority for Military Industries to localize fifty percent of defense spending by 2030 and to build resilience against future supply chain disruptions.

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Saudi Arabia spent more than seventy five billion dollars on defense in 2023, ranking among the world’s top five defense budgets. Vision 2030 creates an opportunity to redirect much of that capital inward by developing industrial capacity that supports both domestic security and long term economic diversification. Across the defense spectrum, several domains of opportunity have emerged. In air defense and intelligence, investments in radar systems, tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, counter drone capabilities, and layered missile defense remain a priority. In land systems, modernization programs for armored vehicles, precision artillery, and soldier systems are underway. Naval and maritime security investments include coastal defense, advanced patrol craft, and surveillance networks to secure sea lanes. Legacy fleet sustainment programs are also essential for aircraft such as the F15, Eurofighter, and C130, as well as naval and rotary platforms. Cyber and electronic warfare capabilities are being integrated into C5ISR frameworks to strengthen situational awareness and coalition interoperability.

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Global partners are increasingly active in the Saudi defense market. American and European defense firms continue to supply major systems while expanding local partnerships under new localization mandates. Asian defense companies from South Korea, China, and Turkey are entering the market with offerings in drones and missile defense. Meanwhile, Saudi institutions such as SAMI and GAMI are developing their own industrial and strategic partnerships to build domestic expertise. What differentiates this initiative is its focus on integration, sustainment, and knowledge transfer rather than one off procurement.

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This strategy is built around four core pillars that together create a complete defense ecosystem. The first is acquisition, introducing advanced systems and technologies across all operational domains to fill capability gaps. The second is localization, establishing in Kingdom manufacturing and maintenance hubs that reduce foreign dependency, create jobs, and nurture a network of Saudi small and medium enterprises. The third is sustainment, ensuring that existing platforms remain effective through structured modernization, upgrades, and spare part programs. The fourth is integration, developing C5ISR and interoperability frameworks to enable joint operations and compatibility with coalition partners. Together, these elements create an enduring system that extends far beyond hardware delivery.

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The timing for this initiative is critical. With less than five years remaining to meet the Vision 2030 localization target, Saudi Arabia must accelerate industrial partnerships and expand its domestic defense base. Regional tensions continue to reinforce the importance of readiness and interoperability. Building a national defense industry also supports broader economic diversification by generating employment, exports, and technological innovation. Many existing platforms are approaching obsolescence, and the Kingdom’s ability to modernize them internally will define its operational independence. At the same time, global supply chain disruptions underscore the need for local production and sustainment.

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This initiative represents a shift in Saudi Arabia’s role within global defense markets from consumer to producer, from importer to innovator, and from dependency to resilience. The long term goal is to establish a defense ecosystem that not only equips the Kingdom with world class platforms but also anchors manufacturing, research, and intellectual property creation within its borders.

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Introducing advanced defense systems into Saudi Arabia is therefore about much more than filling immediate capability gaps. It is about securing the Kingdom’s future. By combining procurement with localization, sustainment, and training, Saudi Arabia can transform its defense expenditure into a driver of industrial development and national resilience. This approach will safeguard the country’s security today while building an indigenous defense industry that endures for generations. In doing so, Saudi Arabia positions itself not only as a regional security guarantor but also as a global partner in defense innovation and industrial progress.​​​

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