WDS 2022: Korean companies win big on day three of show

The Saudi Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed more than SAR7 billion (USD1.86 billion) in procurement deals with industry at the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh, the MoD announced on 8 March.

Korean companies were notably successful, with Hanwha securing a SAR3 billion contract with the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) to “support its defence capabilities in addition to localisation and supply chain services”. Further details were not available.

Poongsan Corporation was also awarded a contract from the General Directorate of Arms and Ammunition for ammunition valued at SAR460 million, while LIG Nex 1 was awarded a SAR250 million contract to supply electro-optical systems to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). China's Norinco also secured a SAR430 million contract for ammunition.

Support contracts for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) were also signed with Saudi companies. These included a SAR1.7 billion contract with Alsalam Aerospace Industries for maintenance services, and a SAR400 million contract with GDC Middle East for technical support for the country's fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft.

A technical support contract with the Saudi subsidiary of France's Naval Group, Naval Arabian Group, valued at SAR400 million, was also signed.