Saudi Arabia’s geographic, economic, and geopolitical realities make national security a complex and critical undertaking. With thousands of kilometers of borders, coastlines, and critical infrastructure assets—from oil fields and pipelines to industrial zones and holy sites—the Kingdom faces a unique challenge: how to effectively monitor vast, often remote, and high-value territories in real time.

 

Traditional surveillance systems—while essential—are limited by terrain, weather, and line-of-sight constraints. Ursa’s technology eliminates these limitations through synthetic aperture radar (SAR), radio frequency monitoring, and multispectral imaging, all delivered through a virtual satellite constellation that ensures 24/7, all-weather visibility. This means decision-makers no longer need to wait for flyovers or depend solely on terrestrial sensors—they can observe, detect, and respond to activity on the ground with unmatched accuracy and speed.

 

As regional dynamics continue to shift, and as emerging threats require greater agility and foresight, Saudi Arabia’s security and intelligence infrastructure must be equipped with tools that are both proactive and predictive. Ursa delivers just that—offering deep situational awareness that enhances both defensive posture and operational preparedness.

 

Establishing a Saudi-based joint venture for intelligence autonomy

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In response to the Kingdom’s growing need for high-resolution, sovereign-aligned satellite intelligence, Karen Thomasine has structured and is advising on the launch of a Saudi-based joint venture for Ursa. The partnership is formed alongside a prominent Riyadh-based family with strong institutional networks and a legacy of national service. Together, the joint venture will serve as a critical platform for Ursa’s long-term presence and operational deployment in Saudi Arabia.

 

The JV is designed to go beyond simple market entry. It represents a permanent commitment to localized delivery, regulatory alignment, and knowledge transfer. Through this vehicle, Ursa will be able to integrate directly into the Kingdom’s security architecture, working hand-in-hand with national stakeholders to adapt its technology stack to the unique needs of Saudi Arabia’s landscape.

 

The JV also supports broader Vision 2030 goals by encouraging local employment, R&D collaboration, and the development of technical capabilities within the Saudi workforce. By establishing a forward-operating base in Riyadh, Ursa is not just selling data—it is becoming a trusted partner in building national capacity.

 

Ongoing discussions across government stakeholders

 

In parallel with the security-focused efforts, the joint venture is actively engaging with other government-related entities that see the value of Ursa’s satellite analytics for broader applications. These include authorities responsible for border protection, civil aviation, critical infrastructure surveillance, and disaster management.

 

Satellite-based intelligence plays a vital role in each of these areas. For example, coastal monitoring via radar can detect unregistered marine activity or environmental hazards; infrastructure monitoring can provide real-time insight into the structural health of ports, rail, or pipeline corridors; and environmental sensors can alert authorities to flood risks, sandstorms, or seismic activity with precision.

 

Ursa’s fusion of geospatial intelligence and AI-driven pattern detection means the Kingdom can go beyond static observation and into dynamic insight—tracking not just what is happening, but understanding how patterns change over time and where intervention may be required.

 

These discussions, facilitated by Karen Thomasine, are focused on developing use cases that are scalable, secure, and tailored to existing workflows—ensuring that Ursa’s systems can be seamlessly adopted without disrupting mission-critical operations.

 

A platform for security, sovereignty, and strategic insight

 

Ursa’s expansion into Saudi Arabia—anchored by a localized joint venture and driven by national security priorities—is emblematic of a new model for sovereign-aligned technology partnerships. At a time when nations are rethinking how to manage, protect, and understand their physical domains, Ursa offers Saudi Arabia an intelligent, autonomous, and deeply integrated toolset.

 

At Karen Thomasine, we are honored to lead this effort—not just by structuring the venture, but by ensuring that Ursa’s capabilities are aligned with the Kingdom’s security objectives, institutional frameworks, and long-term vision. As the demand for precision intelligence grows, and as Saudi Arabia invests in the infrastructure of tomorrow, we believe this partnership will be central to the next generation of national resilience.