Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries to develop 21 military technologies by 2030

GAMI’s role is to contribute to the interaction and cooperation between local and international stakeholders in order to promote the added-value of Saudi military industries.
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Updated 11 March 2020
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Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries to develop 21 military technologies by 2030

  • “The authority is continuing to develop the sector’s tight legislative framework, which includes the relation between all stakeholders, provides cooperation opportunities and encourages investments.”

RIYADH: The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), during its participation in Riyadh’s 6th International Conference on Electronic Warfare and Radar, said that it had identified 21 military technologies to be developed by the sector over the next seven years.

“GAMI’s role is to contribute to the interaction and cooperation between local and international stakeholders in order to promote the added-value of Saudi military industries,” said Abdullah bin Abdulrahman bin Zaraah, director of industry development at GAMI, during a panel discussion.

“The main stakeholders in the Kingdom are divided into three groups: The military, local manufacturers and the research and development centers. They are all working to update their operations and activities in order to keep up with the sector’s new strategy, which will be announced by GAMI soon,” he added, noting: “The authority is continuing to develop the sector’s tight legislative framework, which includes the relation between all stakeholders, provides cooperation opportunities and encourages investments.”

“The new strategy identified 21 military technologies divided into seven categories: Electro-optics, directed energy, radar, radio, cybersecurity technologies, electromagnetic weapons and artificial intelligence.”

“GAMI is facing the challenge of building a young sector, which requires significant investments and support. It will rely on its competencies and partnerships with other countries and international manufacturing companies to establish the research infrastructure of the local military industries,” Al-Zaraa pointed out.

“The long-term planning of the Kingdom’s military needs is essential to building local capabilities. Empowering local manufacturers and promoting their competitiveness will be vital to the sector’s advancement,” he stressed, commending the efforts exerted by the sector’s stakeholders to establish a system that enables military bodies to develop five-year plans identifying their needs.

“The executive regulations of the competitiveness and government procurement system helps overcome this challenge, while GAMI is developing incentive programs to bridge the competitiveness gap between the local and international manufacturers in the future.”

The 6th International Conference on Electronic Warfare and Radar is organized by the Ministry of Defense and King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology. It aims to introduce military experts and enthusiasts to the newest developments in the field of electronic warfare and radar.

GAMI’s participation as a sponsor comes from its keenness to achieve its objectives of organizing, developing and monitoring the performance of the Kingdom’s military industries sector, holding exhibitions, conferences, scientific forums and workshops related to military industries and procurements and organizing military research and development activities according to the regulations.
 


KSrelief sends food to Libya, Uganda

Updated 18 February 2025
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KSrelief sends food to Libya, Uganda

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 600 food parcels to 2,907 people in the Libyan town of Suluq, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

This distribution is a part of the urgent food-assistance project for families affected by Cyclone Daniel in Libya, conducted in cooperation with the Libyan Red Crescent.

KSrelief also sent 25 tonnes of dates recently to Uganda.

Saudi Arabia’s government, through KSrelief, continues to provide aid to vulnerable communities across the world.


Saudi crown prince receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh

Updated 18 February 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh

  • Rubio arrives in Kingdom after visit to Israel, the first leg of his Middle East tour
  • Russia, US delegates  will hold talks in Saudi Arabia in bid to end Ukraine war 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday.

The crown prince and Rubio discussed aspects of relations between their countries and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The latest regional and international developments and efforts made toward them to achieve security and stability were also discussed. 

The Saudi ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff were among officials present at the meeting. 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Earlier on in the day, Rubio was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the meeting, the diplomats reviewed Saudi-US relations and ways to enhance them to serve the interests of both countries.

They also discussed regional and international developments and efforts made in this regard.

Rubio arrived in the Kingdom after a visit to Israel, the first leg of his first Middle East tour in his current position. Next up on his tour will be the United Arab Emirates.


Saudi aid agency sends food to Sudan, clears mines in Yemen

Updated 18 February 2025
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Saudi aid agency sends food to Sudan, clears mines in Yemen

  • 30,000 food baskets to Sudan’s Sennar state, 536 mines cleared from war-ravaged Yemen

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has sent 30,000 food baskets to vulnerable people in Sudan’s Sennar state, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The program seeks to support those displaced by the civil war, which is now approaching the two-year mark.

KSrelief’s food-security program helps people returning to their homes in the states of Gezira, Khartoum, Red Sea, Sennar, and White Nile.

Separately, the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance, known as Masam, removed 536 mines from war-ravaged Yemen during the second week of February.

The cleared ordnances included nine anti-personnel mines, 48 anti-tank mines, 478 unexploded ordnance, and one improvised explosive device, the SPA reported.

“Up to 5 million people are estimated to have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen — many of them displaced by the presence of landmines on their land,” stated the project in a release on Monday.

A total of 481,766 explosive devices have been removed from Yemeni territory since the project’s inception in 2018.


UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center

Updated 18 February 2025
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UK science minister visits King Faisal Specialist Hospital’s heart center

  • Peter Kyle meets medical team responsible for world’s first fully robotic heart transplant
  • Visit follows global recognition of KFSHRC’s medical standing, groundbreaking innovations

RIYADH: The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology visited the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Peter Kyle was shown the hospital’s cardiac facilities, which have pioneered advancements in cardiac care and medical innovation.

Kyle visited the Heart Center of Excellence, where he observed cutting-edge technologies and medical breakthroughs that have positioned KFSHRC as a global leader in specialized healthcare.

He was received by Dr. Hani Al-Sergani, the center's executive director, and his deputy, Prof. Feras Khaliel.

The British official met with the medical team responsible for the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant, a landmark achievement led by Khaliel.

Kyle also reviewed the latest advancements in minimally invasive organ transplantation, which reduce surgical risks and improve patient recovery times.

His visit follows the international recognition of KFSHRC’s medical milestones, particularly after the groundbreaking robotic heart transplant.

KFSHRC ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and 15th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for the second consecutive year.

It was also named the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East by Brand Finance 2025, and was included in Newsweek’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2025 list.


Canadians helping to deliver Vision 2030, says ambassador

Updated 17 February 2025
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Canadians helping to deliver Vision 2030, says ambassador

  • Saudi reform program ‘will be a tool to bring peace, stability in the broader Middle East,’ says Jean-Philippe Linteau
  • Envoy will lead a delegation of Canadian companies working in the Kingdom’s smart and green cities on visit to Madinah  

RIYADH: Canadian expatriates are helping Saudi Arabia to deliver Vision 2030 at various levels, as the two countries continue to enjoy closer ties, according to the Canadian ambassador to the Kingdom.

Jean-Philippe Linteau underlined the growth in relations between the two countries, describing these as the “core” of diplomatic ties, during celebrations for National Flag Day of Canada in Riyadh on Sunday.

The ambassador told Arab News that more than 14,000 Canadians are now living and working in the Kingdom.

“These Canadians are working in the private sector, they are CEOs, they are in mid-management, they work in government, in universities — you find them everywhere,” he said.

“The Canadians are here helping to deliver on the Vision.”

Linteau expressed how proud he is to see Canadians supporting Vision 2030, saying that it will deliver “a bright future for all Saudis, and will also be a tool to bring peace and stability in the broader Middle East.”

During his interview, the ambassador also extended a message to the “tens of thousands of (Saudi) alumni” of Canadian universities saying: “Canada is your second home and you are always welcome there.”

The ambassador gave the opening remarks during Canadian Flag Day, speaking about how relations between the two countries are growing, adding that many Saudis have a connection to Canada and vice versa through education, work, and tourism.

Saudi Arabia and Canada restored ties in May 2023 following talks between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Bangkok in November 2022.

During his remarks, Linteau also announced that he will lead a delegation of Canadian companies working in the Kingdom’s smart and green cities on a visit to Madinah.

“Following my earlier visit to Madinah we decided to take them to see how the holy cities are changing and becoming a tourist hub and a tourist attraction, and how much there are opportunities to work together to make these cities more green and sustainable,” he said.

As a part of Flag Day festivities, the Embassy of Canada hosted a photo exhibition titled “Unceded” celebrating the culture, heritage, and lives of the indigenous peoples of Canada.

“As Canada comes to grip with its colonial past, this exhibition is about our commitment to reconciliation, cultural preservation, and fostering deeper understanding across nations,” Linteau said.

Flag Day also celebrates the national symbol of Canada, the maple leaf, which was adopted on the flag and raised for the first time 60 years ago over Parliament Hill.

“Flag Day is about celebrating our national symbol, the maple leaf. In 1965, Canada adopted the maple leaf in the flag that you know today,” the envoy said.

The maple leaf “is a symbol that unites Canadians and reflects their common values of democracy, inclusion, and equality,” he added.