29 September 2020

Saudi Arabia calls for increased GCC defence industry collaboration

by Charles Forrester

The leader of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmad Al Ohali, has issued a call for improved collaboration in the defence industry within the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states.

In a keynote address delivered at the Global Aerospace Summit on 28 September, Al Ohali recognised the long-standing relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and “the partnership, collaboration, and continuous communication on a range of important fronts.”

The leader of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmad Al Ohali, has called for increased defence industrial collaboration in the region. (GAMI)

“We [GAMI] emphasise our focus on uniting our efforts and strengthening collaboration between the GCC countries across the defence sector through research and development, training, and sharing of best practices, all with the aim of developing a foundation for the defence sector and stimulating growth in the private sector to increase investments in this industry.”

Commenting on the shared strategic and security drivers of the region that can drive regional integration, Ohali added that the Arab countries in the region “have tremendous capabilities and ideal land for the development of a sustainable military industrial sector.”

“We hold strong ties with countries that possess robust abilities and defence technologies that enable us to work together to achieve mutual objectives and joint ambitions. This includes the transfer of military capabilities, localisation, and the development of military foundations in the Arab Gulf that are agile and sustainable, and can meet the demands and constant developments across this promising sector.”

The leader of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmad Al Ohali, has i...

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