METCO Saudi Arabia signed strategic agreements to localize defense capabilities during the World Defence Show, supporting the Kingdom’s defense and security localization goals in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and national industrial priorities.
The agreements were signed with support from the General Authority for Military Industries to strengthen local supply chains and increase local content in military industries. The initiative aims to enable sustainable industrial development in this vital sector and build local supply chains to contribute to the development, manufacturing, and support of products and services for military and security entities.
Strategic Partnerships for Defense Localization
As part of its long-term strategy, METCO Saudi Arabia continues to expand its international partnerships to support the localization of defense and security capabilities within the Kingdom. The signed agreements include partnerships with Smiths Detection to support the localization of X-ray inspection systems powered by artificial intelligence for threat detection, and with Teledyne FLIR to support the localization of mobile surveillance and reconnaissance vehicle capabilities.
The agreements also include a partnership with Destinus to support the localization of unmanned aircraft systems and selected related capabilities, which was signed before the World Defence Show commenced. These agreements collectively focus on enabling local integration, enhancing industrial participation, developing the national workforce, and raising long-term operational readiness.
Impact on National Security Infrastructure
The partnerships contribute to enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure, borders, and areas of high security importance across the Kingdom. Moreover, they support increased local content, economic growth, and localization objectives aligned with national development goals.
“The World Defence Show embodies the Kingdom’s ambition to build strong local defense capabilities. METCO’s mission is to enable this ambition by combining global expertise with local execution through integration, operation, and long-term support, while developing Saudi capabilities and promoting sustainable industrial growth.”
Faisal Baqshan, Chairman of the Board of Directors at METCO
Three Decades of Operational Excellence
With approximately 30 years of experience in implementing and operating critical systems in aviation, security, and defense sectors, METCO continues to connect global technologies with local execution through integration, operation, and long-term system lifecycle support. The company maintains a broad national presence spanning more than 40 security and aviation facilities across various regions of the Kingdom and regional presence, including international and regional airports and sites of security and defense importance.
The company’s operations cover the entire project lifecycle to support critical operations around the clock. Through the agreements signed during the World Defence Show, METCO continues to strengthen its position as a trusted Saudi platform for global partners seeking sustainable localization that complies with national requirements, contributing to the development of national competencies, raising operational readiness, and enhancing the national security system.
