05 Feb 24. Ministers progress talks on new strategic partnership during meetings at the World Defense Show in Riyadh.
- Decades-long defence relationship between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to deepen following bilateral meetings
- Ministers agree to continue work towards building a partnership to explore development of advanced new weapons systems, including precision-guided missiles and armoured vehicles
The defence relationship between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has deepened, after the Defence Secretary and Minister for Defence Procurement met their counterparts in Riyadh, where they agreed to progress work on creating a partnership to develop advanced new capabilities.
Alongside bilateral meetings at the World Defence Show, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, met their counterparts, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud and His Excellency Talal Al-Otaibi, to discuss ways in which both countries could combine industry expertise and capabilities.
Further bilateral engagement will continue to build on our strategic defence partnership through equipment collaboration, the exchange of ideas, joint training and doctrine, industrialisation, and human capital development.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “In an increasingly contested world, where we can no longer rely on a peace dividend and must be prepared to respond to growing threats, reinforcing our key defence relationships with allies and partners is more important than ever.
The UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia share a decades-long defence partnership, founded in mutual security interest, reliable UK support, and longstanding industrial collaboration. We will continue working to build our relationship even further, strengthening and deepening our collaboration for the future. A particular focus for planned collaboration will be land-based systems including air defence capabilities and armoured vehicles, and uncrewed aerial systems along with complex weapons including precision-guided missiles. This would be achieved through the creation of a Strategic Capability Partnership Committee, with a focus on developing cooperation in equipment and industry, research and development, and training.”
Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said: “This is a significant moment as we work towards laying a foundation for closer collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia, drawing on the expertise of our defence industries.
Strengthening our relationship in the long term will invigorate the UK defence industry, and allow us to go even further in building the advanced new capabilities which will keep us safe from the threats of the future. The UK and KSA share a decades-long defence partnership, founded in mutual security interest, reliable UK support and longstanding industrial collaboration.”
The visit provided an opportunity for the Defence Secretary to hold bilateral meetings with his counterpart, and to reaffirm the relationship between both countries.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
World Defense Show 2024 under the esteemed patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, welcomed a flood of visitors today, the first day of public opening, and the second day of the globally important event. Central to the attractions was the new Defense Space Arena, incorporating the Space Theatre and the Defense Space Domain.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Defense in Saudi Arabia (MoD), the Defense Space Domain is a central highlight of the show. This immersive area offers an engaging and interactive introduction to space defense development. The vast potential of space capabilities, technologies, and solutions is highlighted on video screens, with exciting digital content from major industry players including BAE Systems, Boeing Space, Leo Labs and Lockheed Martin. Physical and digital space assets from both industry and institutions are also on display, demonstrating the evolution of the technology.
Visitors can also experience a walkthrough of a Space Station simulation, where digital screens provide information on the role and importance of the space domain, illustrating the critical role of space in shaping future global military capabilities.
The Space Theatre’s opening day featured two insightful sessions. The first, “The Interface between Space and Defense in Saudi Arabia” included panelists Dr. Mohammed Ali Alghamdi and Eng. Abdulrahman Nasser Alkhalaf from GAMI, along with Brigadier General (retired) Abdullah Alajmi, Business Development Director at Lockheed Martin Space, KSA. Amy Hopkins, Peraton Vice President, expertly moderated the discussion. The second session, “Space – The Challenges and Need for Collaboration” featured panelists Dan Tenney from Lockheed Martin, Morena Bernardini, General Secretary at MBDA, and Elias Montanari, a Global Space Programme and Ecosystem Expert, with moderation by Ben Baseley-Walker, Founder of Andart Global.
The Space Theatre will continue for the next three days, with industry leaders giving professional insights into the innovations and pioneering technologies defining the future of space; the challenges of governance in space and the need for international collaboration; the potential for defense and space interoperability; and the advantages of diversity in the space sector, among other exciting topics.
Andrew Pearcey, Chief Executive Officer of World Defense Show, said: “The success of the Defense Space Arena is a testament to World Defense Show’s pivotal role in fostering international collaboration in the most crucial areas of defense and security. The show serves as a dynamic platform for sharing insights and strategies among the global defense community, contributing significantly to the advancement of worldwide defense and space capabilities.”