In an ambitious move to strengthen its position within Saudi Arabia’s defense sector, the American defense behemoth, L3Harris, is actively discussing plans to establish a regional headquarters in the Kingdom. This strategic initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to localize defense production and bolster the country’s self-sufficiency in this critical industry.
Adrian Kemps, an executive at L3Harris and the CEO of a joint venture formed between L3Harris and the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), has been in talks with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) for several months. These detailed discussions focus on understanding the necessary frameworks to set up a regional office that complies with local regulations and supports the Kingdom’s localization goals. L3Harris’s commitment to establishing operations in Saudi Arabia is evident, though they await clarity on specific regulatory aspects before finalizing their plans.
Unlike other major international defense firms with complex regional structures, L3Harris’s lack of a regional hierarchy simplifies the process of inaugurating a Saudi regional headquarters. The company’s executive shared that support from the US government is apparent, and there is optimism for progress within the year.
Additionally, L3Harris has expanded its collaboration with the UAE’s EDGE Group by opening a new WESCAM Authorized Service Center (WASC) to serve customers in the UAE. However, Saudi Arabia remains a focal point for the company in the region, where it is recognized as a primary provider of tactical radios to the Saudi Ministry of National Guard.
The company’s regional involvement was underscored in 2020 when it established a groundbreaking joint venture with SAMI, named SAMI L3Harris Technologies. This partnership recently celebrated the inauguration of a multi-band radio systems production line in Riyadh, marking significant progress in technology transfer and local manufacturing, with the delivery of several thousand radios produced in Saudi Arabia.
Kemps highlighted the efforts to cultivate a robust local supply chain within the Kingdom, with the joint venture actively qualifying suppliers for components and accessories. These suppliers will not only cater to the Saudi line but also become a part of L3Harris’s global supply chain, diversifying sources to meet global demand.
Moreover, L3Harris is in the process of setting up an engineering center in partnership with SAMI, focusing on advanced technologies such as waveform development and cryptography. The center aims to be a hub for engineering excellence, with newly hired engineers currently undergoing training in preparation for the transfer of knowledge and expertise to Saudi Arabia. The launch of operations at the engineering center is anticipated for the third quarter of 2024.