South African defense and aerospace leader Milkor achieves regulatory approval for the assembly and production of its cutting-edge Milkor380 drone in Saudi Arabia. The announcement came on the edges of the World Defense Show. Amidst heightened geopolitical tensions, the move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to bolster its defense capabilities.
Milkor expands manufacturing in Saudi Arabia
As part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 program, Milkor has received approval to assemble and manufacture its advanced 380 drone in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Kingdom’s focus on domestic manufacturing in the military sector.
Procurement talks with Saudi Officials
Harrison Cassidy, Milkor’s Business Development Manager, revealed that there were ongoing high-level discussions with Saudi Arabian officials on potential procurement, “We are in talks on procurement with high-level Saudi Arabian officials. We have a local office [in Riyadh], which could support full assembly and production”, he said.
Global expansion plans
The local office in Riyadh is part of a wider move and represents strategic positioning. Beyond Saudi Arabia, Milkor is eying a broader global footprint. Cassidy states that talks are underway with multiple governments for the 380 UAVs, and the company plans to extend its manufacturing capabilities to the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East, and Europe. This expansion aligns with Milkor’s commitment to providing cutting-edge defense solutions worldwide.
Milkor’s drone production approval offers the Kingdom advanced capabilities for security and defense. The move resonates with the region’s increasing focus on bolstering defense infrastructure.
Strategic collaborations at World Defense Show
Milkor’s presence at the World Defense Show coincided with other major announcements. Lockheed Martin has signed agreements for Saudi companies to manufacture parts of its THAAD missile defense system, while Airbus is exploring opportunities for tanker planes. SAMI, Airbus’ joint venture partner, has signed 11 agreements, illustrating the growing collaboration between global defense leaders and Saudi Arabia.
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