In a significant step towards bolstering defence industrial collaboration between India and Saudi Arabia, Secretary of Defence Production, Shri Sanjeev Kumar, held a high-level meeting with Dr. Mohammed AlKahtani, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), on the sidelines of the prestigious Aero India 2025 exhibition. The meeting, held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, focused on enhancing bilateral defence industry cooperation and exploring opportunities for joint ventures, technology transfer, and co-development of defence systems.
Key Areas of Discussion
During the meeting, Shri Sanjeev Kumar highlighted India’s advancements in defence manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative, which has transformed the country into a global hub for defence production. He emphasized India’s expertise in areas such as aerospace, naval systems, and land-based military equipment, and expressed India’s willingness to collaborate with Saudi Arabia in these domains.
Dr. Mohammed AlKahtani, representing SAMI—the Kingdom’s flagship defence company—shared insights into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to localize over 50% of its military spending by developing a robust domestic defence industry. He expressed keen interest in leveraging India’s technological prowess and manufacturing capabilities to achieve this goal. The discussions also touched upon potential partnerships in research and development (R&D), particularly in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned systems, and cyber defence.
Strengthening Strategic Ties
The meeting between Shri Sanjeev Kumar and Dr. AlKahtani is a testament to the deepening defence ties between India and Saudi Arabia. Over the past few years, both nations have signed several agreements to enhance defence cooperation, including the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence industry collaboration. The latest discussions at Aero India 2025 are expected to further accelerate these efforts, paving the way for joint production and export of defence equipment.
Aero India 2025: A Platform for Global Defence Collaboration
Aero India 2025, organized by the Indian Ministry of Defence, has emerged as a premier platform for fostering international defence cooperation. The biennial event brings together defence manufacturers, policymakers, and military leaders from across the globe to showcase cutting-edge technologies and e
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