Kingdom wants self-sufficiency in arms production

Kingdom wants self-sufficiency in arms production Arab News

Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, tours the military spare parts exhibition in Riyadh on Saturday after opening the show. (SPA)   RIYADH: Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, on Saturday emphasized the need for Saudi Arabia to achieve self-sufficiency in weapons by manufacturing them in the Kingdom. "Every country aims to achieve 100 percent local production of weapons to ensure independent political decisions and avoid surprises during armed conflicts," the minister said while opening an exhibition of military spare parts in Riyadh. "Countries intend to obtain license to produce weapons and equipment from manufacturing countries without violating copyright laws. We also want to achieve the same goal," he said, noting the private sector's role in realizing this objective. He said cooperation between the Saudi armed forces and the private sector began eight decades ago. "The private sector played a big role during the war to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation." Prince Khaled said transfer of technology requires five steps: Preparation of national cadre by establishing specialized institutions and research centers; purchase of technology; adaptation of new technology with the local environment; gradual application of the technology after making required changes; and innovation and development of technology. The minister urged Saudi academics and researchers to make all-out efforts in order for the Kingdom to reach the level of developed countries and achieve self-sufficiency in weapons and military equipment. "We have to make a scientific plan and have strong determination to achieve this goal," he said. Prince Khaled expressed hope that by next year more military spare parts would be manufactured in the Kingdom. He said the move to produce military spare parts would attract more investment and create job opportunities for Saudis. The exhibition comes at a time when the government has allowed, for the first time, Saudi firms to bid to supply basic materials excluding arms. The move will first involve some 15,000 items that range from plastic to pipes, covers for jet engines and batteries, said Col. Attiyah Al-Maliki at a meeting with businessmen at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently. The Defense Ministry has created a Central Committee for Local Industrialization, which comprises business leaders and defense officials to "develop local capabilities, ensure speedy delivery and reduce costs," Col. Al-Maliki said. Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, a member of the committee and chairman of Zamil Group, welcomed the move. "This is a breakthrough for local firms because before all purchases were internationally tendered or bought from abroad by local suppliers. We know that these (15,000) products can be made locally," Al-Zamil said. "The Defense Ministry will gradually eliminate from international tenders all items that can be produced here ... We are working for the next 20 years," Al-Zamil said. "This is just the beginning ... So the field remains open," said Col. Al-Maliki.