Saudis Want to Make Their Own Weapons. Russia Is Eager to Help
- U.S. in pole position as ally seeks to build defense industry
- But tech transfers are sensitive and Saudis have other options
Soldiers stand beside a missile display at the Armed Forces Exhibition for Diversity of Requirements and Capabilities (AFED) in Riyadh on Feb. 27.
Photographer: Mohammed Almuaalemi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Saudi Arabia aims to build a defense industry at breakneck speed, and it’s ready to look beyond its traditional Western allies for help.
The oil-rich kingdom has long been a favorite customer of arms sellers, especially American ones. President Donald Trump announced $110 billion in deals during his trip there last year. Now, 32 year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wants to make weapons at home, and he’s set an ambitious goal: Half of Saudi procurement is supposed to be done locally by 2030, from about 2 percent today.