BIAS a unique platform, says SAMI’s Dr Schwer

As the air show got off to a flying start yesterday, Saudi Military Industries Company also known as SAMI said the show is providing a unique platform for meeting decision-makers and industry leaders in aviation and military industries from all over the world. “Our participation in the Bahrain International Air Show is aimed at ‎highlighting SAMI’s ‎growing military capabilities and showcasing our ‎achievements in enhancing self-sufficiency in ‎defence capabilities,” Dr Andreas Schwer, Chief Executive Officer of SAMI said.

SAMI, Dr Schwer said, is keen on taking advantage of the unique opportunities offered by the show and ‎the ‎promising investment prospects in Saudi Arabia’s booming military ‎industries in order to support the Kingdom’s vision of localizing ‎over 50 per cent of military equipment ‎spending by 2030.

Dr Schwer said the air show has cemented its reputation as an unparalleled venue to exchange ideas and expertise on challenges and opportunities in these two vital sectors. SAMI has earlier announced the launch of its joint venture ‘SAMI Navantia Naval Industries’ with Navantia S.A. to design and build five Avante 2200 corvettes with Combat Management System for the Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia.

His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of His Majesty the King and Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of BIAS, visited SAMI’s pavilion at the show and was briefed on the company’s achievements and military services in four key areas, including Aeronautics, Land Systems, Weapons and Missiles, and Defense Electronics. Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS), now in its fifth edition, runs from 14-16 November 2018 at the Sakhir Air Base in southern Bahrain.