SAMI, the national defense and security champion, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, and Embraer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a cooperation in their respective aerospace industries, prioritizing defense and security. This agreement is geared towards expanding the operational footprint of both companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a focus on promoting the capabilities of the C-390 Millennium aircraft and delivering support to the kingdom’s Ministry of Defense. SAMI and Embraer will work to establish comprehensive maintenance capability for the Embraer aircraft in the Kingdom. Additionally, both companies will explore a Regional MRO Hub and a final assembly line for the Embraer C-390, as well as a mission system integration in the Kingdom. Furthermore, SAMI and Embraer will engage in training activities, which will enable the opening of new opportunities for both companies across the aerospace sector in the Kingdom and the region.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President, and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security added: “We are very pleased to sign this agreement with SAMI. This is the first step to advance cooperation in Defense and Security involving production chains between the two countries. With this Memorandum of Understanding, Embraer advances further into a strategic market. We will work hard to add value to the local industry, to the Royal Saudi Air Force, and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Eng. Walid A. Abukhaled, SAMI’s CEO, says: “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Embraer, bringing new support and production facilities into the Kingdom. This growth in our business scope and capabilities highlights SAMI’s dedication to advancing and supporting the development of the aerospace ecosystem in the Kingdom. It is another important step in SAMI’s efforts in supporting the Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen the Kingdom’s self-sufficiency in the defense sector and contribution to the localization of 50% of the defense spending In the Kingdom by 2030. While this expansion of our MRO capabilities is important, the key to this agreement is the establishment of joint training activities, to support the development of Saudi talents and the transfer of valuable skills within the aerospace sector.”
The agreement will support SAMI’s efforts in empowering local talents and contributing to the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of the localization of the defense sector in the Kingdom. Established in May 2017, SAMI is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) working under the directives outlined in the ?Saudi Vision 2030. Aiming to be among the top 25 defense industries companies in the ?world by 2030, SAMI is expected to play a key role in contribution to the localization of 50% of the Kingdom’s ?total government defense spending. SAMI is combining the latest technologies and the best national talents to develop ?defense products and services at par with international standards across its five business ?divisions; SAMI Aerospace, SAMI Land, SAMI Sea, SAMI Defense Systems, and SAMI Advanced Electronics. ?It is also focused on increasing exports and bringing foreign investment to ?the Kingdom’s defense industries sector.
Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil. It manufactures aircraft for Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security, and Agricultural customers. The company also provides after-sales services & support through a worldwide network of wholly owned entities and authorized agents. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and is the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
