Airbus to Showcase Innovation and Highlight its Commitment towards Localisation at Saudi Arabia's World Defense Show

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - 2, March 2022:  At the World Defense Show from 6-9 March in Riyadh, Airbus will showcase a wide range of products, cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are shaping the future of aerospace. 

 
The show will be held biennially from its debut edition in March, supporting the development of a sustainable local industry, in line with the Kingdom’s vision to localise 50% of its military expenditure by 2030. 

The event will be an opportunity for Airbus to highlight its commitment towards driving localisation and demonstrate its strong presence in Saudi Arabia, underlined by strategic partnerships that develop local industries by providing expertise, services and products to fulfil the objectives of customers and partners in Saudi Arabia. Today, Airbus employs 350 people in the Kingdom, from more than 30 nationalities. More than 30 percent of the company’s employees in KSA are Saudi nationals.

Mikail Houari, President, Airbus Africa and Middle East commented: “for several decades, Airbus has been working closely with Saudi Arabia’s aerospace industry. We are proud to have developed strong partnerships with government entities as well with organisations within the civil and private      aerospace sectors. Our focus at this year’s World Defense Show is to showcase the positive impact of localisation for the development of skills, creation of jobs and ultimately contributing to the economic development of the country, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.” 

The event will be an opportunity for Airbus to demonstrate its strong presence in Saudi Arabia, underlined by strategic partnerships that develop local industries by providing expertise, services and products to fulfil the objectives of customers in KSA. 

Airbus has recently signed several agreements in Saudi Arabia, whether in the form of joint ventures or transfer of knowledge MoUs. These include a joint venture with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) for military aviation services and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities and a MoU with Prince Sultan Aviation Academy for aviation training opportunities. 

Airbus has been present in Saudi Arabia since the 1970s and has initiated a number of strategic partnerships in the country that have contributed to the development of the local industry. It has a strong presence in the military and government space, while in the commercial business, Airbus aircraft is the aircraft of choice for all the Saudi Arabian carriers.