WDS: BAE Systems hold a significant place in Saudi Arabia’s defence landscape

Ever since the UK supplied the Royal Saudi Air Force with a package of English Electric Lightning interceptors and BAC Strikemaster advanced trainers in the 1960s under the codename Magic Carpet, the UK has had a foothold with the country’s air arm.

That continues today with BAE Systems having provided fleets of Tornado strike aircraft, Hawk advanced trainers and Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft, as well as assisting with their ongoing support, maintenance and logistics.

“Under the long-term Saudi-British defence cooperation programme (SBDCP), we secured a new five-year contract in 2022 to continue our support to providing ongoing support to the Royal Saudi Air Force's (RSAF) Tornado fleet and providing training for RSAF aircrew utilising our Hawk training aircraft,” Clutton explained. “We continue to provide essential support and maintenance to the RSAF Typhoon fleet through long-term arrangements, through to the end of 2027.”

That support role may increase in the near future if a long-awaited order for an additional 48 Typhoons, to add to the original contracted 72, finally comes to fruition.

Clutton is naturally circumspect on the prospect of future orders, given the sensitive nature of contract negotiations.

“We continue to pursue a number of export opportunities for Typhoon in the Middle East and in Europe, and discussions on a further requirement of Typhoon aircraft are ongoing between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the UK.”

Any further contract would further increase BAE Systems’ role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 policy, which aims to diversify the country’s economy away from the hydrocarbons sector.

“As a partner in the Kingdom for more than 55 years, we are proud of the contribution we’re making to the objectives of Vision 2030,” Clutton said. “For many years we’ve been transferring key capabilities, skills and technology into Saudi Arabia, both through the increased Saudisation of our own workforce, and by establishing and supporting Saudi companies as partners within our supply chain.

“Our partner companies are at the core of our long-term strategy in Saudi Arabia, representing a portfolio of capable and established Saudi companies which are playing a key part in growing the wider Saudi industrial base and enhancing skills and capabilities.

“We also recognise the importance of making a contribution to society which extends well beyond the technology, services and equipment we provide, such as enhancing skills and empowering women in the workforce, supporting the Kingdom’s aim through Vision 2030 for women to account for 30% of the country’s workforce.

“Developing a national workforce is a key part of our strategy and I’m proud of the progress we’re making. Today, around 77% of the 7,000 people we have working in the Kingdom are Saudi nationals. This includes more than 300 female employees, which has increased more than five-fold over the past eight years, and will continue to grow.”

Like several major Western companies, BAE Systems is aiming to extend its involvement with the country’s young population through partnerships with educational establishments.

“Underpinning that commitment is our university collaboration programme which sees us work with a number of universities across the Kingdom,” said  Clutton. ”Al-Majmaah University was established in 2009 and is focused on expanding higher education provision across the country. We have been in discussions relating to our involvement and support to the establishment of a new science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) facility at the university, and a longer-term collaboration programme.”

The company is also engaged in the country’s naval forces, Clutton added. “Under our SBDCP programme we provide support to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces including training of technicians and logistics and technical support to the Al Jawf minehunter vessels” – versions of the UK’s Sandown-class minehunters.

“We continue to support the UK government in discussions with the RSNF on future requirements.”