Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), a state-owned defense firm, has entered into a significant partnership with Amentum UK and International aimed at enhancing its maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade (MROU) capabilities specifically for land combat systems. This collaboration is set to position SAMI’s land systems division as the national leader in MROU services, with a strong focus on establishing efficient business processes and implementing best practices to cater to the increasing domestic demand for defense operations.
The alliance is anticipated to have broad implications for the local economy, including job creation, the strengthening of the industrial base, and the development of national expertise through technology transfer. This initiative is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions for its defense industry and is a crucial component of the Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to localize over 50 percent of military spending by the year 2030.
SAMI currently supports a variety of armored and specialized vehicles, including the Al-Faris 8-400, Al-Kaser, and Al-Mansour armored personnel carriers. Other systems benefiting from SAMI’s efforts include the Al-Masmak and Tuwaiq mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles, as well as the Ashibl light armored vehicles. This diverse portfolio underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing operational capabilities and providing comprehensive support for the kingdom’s defense needs.
Amentum, headquartered in Virginia, brings a wealth of global expertise to the table. The engineering and technology firm employs over 53,000 personnel across approximately 80 countries, offering vital support to the US military and allied forces in areas such as science, security, and sustainability. This partnership further expands Amentum’s operations within the UK, where it focuses on projects related to the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment & Support. At its UK headquarters in northwest England, a dedicated team of around 250 professionals manages various initiatives critical to national defense.
As SAMI and Amentum move forward with their collaboration, the partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming the defense landscape in Saudi Arabia, fostering innovation and operational excellence in military support services.
