Saudi Crown prince discusses defense cooperation

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Marillyn A. Hewson, chairwoman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin on Tuesday, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The meeting reviewed the possible areas of partnership, especially in the military industries, and discussed the chances for strengthening cooperation between the two sides in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
The meeting was attended by Ahmed Al-Khatib, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries, and Fahd Al-Issa, an adviser at the Royal Court and general supervisor of the defense minister’s office.
The global security and aerospace company on Wednesday also announced it will develop technology-related research projects with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The two organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner in a Master Research Agreement.
“Lockheed Martin is pleased to partner with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and KAUST to engineer a better tomorrow and make (the) Vision 2030 a reality,” said Lockheed Martin’s CEO. “By joining our R&D (research and development) efforts, we can produce innovative solutions for the world’s toughest challenges. At the same time, we can help develop leaders for the 21st-century workforce.”
Hewson signed the MoU with KAUST, which ranks among the Middle East’s best educational institutions, while visiting the university, where she serves on the Board of Trustees.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lockheed Martin and KAUST will focus on developing projects that have applications across a variety of sectors and support the Vision 2030 plans.
“As we look forward to a new era of progress, I am confident that this partnership with Lockheed Martin will allow us to advance R&D aligned to the KAUST mission of innovation and economic development,” said Nadhmi Al-Nasr, KAUST acting president.
“Together we can leverage our strengths toward achieving tangible results in mutual technology-related goals.”
Lockheed Martin has had a presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 1965 with the first delivery of the C-130 Hercules. Since then, the company has expanded its footprint in the Kingdom to include integrated air and missile defense systems, maritime and civilian applications such as satellite communications, air traffic control systems and energy solutions.
By 2020, the company plans to introduce combat ships, tactical aircraft and rotary wing technologies and programs to its portfolio in the Kingdom