Do you or someone else have an overview of all the domestically produced Saudi Arabian drones or those that are currently in development? Some have been posted in this thread but I see no full overview.
Also do we have a list of all the drone deals that KSA has signed with foreign countries? I remember large deals with China and a factory being built to produce the CAIG Wing Loong II within KSA. Talk of the CH-5 too. Turkish Vestel etc.
With a fast jet fleet second only in capability terms to Israel in the Middle East, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is not short of traditional means to conduct its long-running air campaigns.
However, Saudi Arabia has also joined those countries that look at drone capability as an additional asset. In 2014, the country purchased two Chinese CH-4s, although these may well be the unarmed ‘A’ variant rather than the armed ‘B’, and five larger and more heavily armed Wing Loong IIs.
In terms of imports, therefore, the Kingdom has purchased remarkably few armed UAVs in comparison to its huge purchases of fast jets and other high-end military equipment.
Nonetheless, it has announced ambitious plans to manufacture its own armed drones, obtaining a licence from the Chinese state-owned Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) to develop up to 300 Wing Loong and potentially CASC’s new heavyweight CH-5 armed UAVs.
[1]
NOTE
[1] Joanna Frew, ‘Drone Wars: The Next Generation’, Drone Wars UK, May 2018, pp. 19–20; Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), ‘SIPRI Arms Transfers Database’.
Armed Drones in the Middle East
drones.rusi.org
How much do we really know about the status quo given the secrecy of KSA?
Just out of pure interest, is Turkey cooperating with any outside party in the development of MIUS? I see that the planned introduction is for next year.
What could be the realistic participation of KSA in such a project?
Launching the work of developing, manufacturing and localizing “unmanned aircraft” systems in coordination between the General Authority for Military Industries and Intra Defense Technologies, which has an industrial license from the authority, as it aims to launch 6 unmanned aircraft systems in 2021, and 40 systems within 5 years..
In coordination between the General Authority for Military Industries and Intra Defense Technologies, the company has launched construction and manufacturing work in the field of developing, manufacturing and maintaining unmanned aircraft systems. The project is scheduled to start operating during the first quarter of 2021, with an expected investment of 750 million riyals.
The authority aims to build a pioneering technical innovation base regionally and internationally to develop the maintenance, manufacture and localization of unmanned aircraft systems. Intra Defense Technologies - a Saudi company licensed by the authority - will secure a number of categories of advanced drone systems that differ in tasks and performance and with high competitiveness at the level of technology and cost.
In a statement by the Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, Eng. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, confirmed that the project to develop maintenance, manufacture and localization of unmanned aircraft systems comes to achieve the general strategy of the authority, which is based on its three pillars, namely industry, research and technology, and procurement, as well as to achieve the strategic goal of the Kingdom, which was established by the Crown Prince. The Covenant of Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, represented in the localization of more than 50% of the Kingdom’s military spending by 2030, which is the main motivation for our work over the next ten years, in direct cooperation with the military and security authorities.
He added: We in the authority seek to empower the military industries sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to become a major tributary of its economy and a major contributor to providing job opportunities for Saudi youth, and to advance development by enhancing non-oil revenues, in addition to enhancing the Kingdom’s strategic independence in this sector, and strengthening the foundations of its security national and support its economic and social prosperity.
He affirmed his pride in the presence of a number of local manufacturers with increased interest from the industrial and service private sector, pointing out that what the Kingdom owns today will be the basis on which we will build the military industry to achieve transformation in this sector with the unlimited support of the leadership and an unprecedented level of openness for the Kingdom, which raises its position. Day after day as a destination for investment in all fields, stressing that the number of companies licensed by the authority to date has reached 25 national companies working in the field of military industries.
For his part, the CEO of Intra Defense Technologies Company, Salman bin Nasser Al-Shathri, confirmed that the project to develop maintenance, manufacture and localization of unmanned aircraft systems will start operating, God willing, during the first quarter of 2021, with a total investment of 750 million riyals, indicating that the average percentage of localization in the project is estimated at 60% of the total business and components.
And Mr. Al-Shathri added: This project, God willing, will create approximately 500 direct jobs, with a Saudization rate of 70% of the total number of jobs, and the project aims to reach a percentage of foreign exports estimated at 60% of the total business volume.
The Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries had previously witnessed the inauguration of the “Asif” drone as part of the authority’s support for Saudi companies operating and investing in the sector, as it was designed and manufactured by Intra Defense Technologies and with Saudi hands according to military standards, as the curtain was revealed for the first time. Once at the Dubai Airshow 2019, which operates in a tactical manner, and is equipped with advanced equipment usually associated with larger drone systems where it can carry out a wide range of reconnaissance missions, including border patrols, pipeline inspections, highway patrols and more.
https://maaal.com/tag/الصناعات-العسكرية/
Interview with Abdulsalam Ghamdi, INTRA Defence Technologies
INTRA Defense Technologies counts on a state-of-the-art R&D Centre, unique in the region. What are the main technologies you are working on and the technology challenges to focus on?
INTRA is focusing on three main technologies which are Unmanned Systems and Sub-systems, Electro-optical systems, and communication systems. Our Engineering & Development team is working in the design, development, and testing of operational and tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems that providing Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance missions. Other unmanned systems which INTRA is providing to the local commercial and industrial sector as low cost, reliable, saving time solutions, include Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Unmanned Sea Vehicles, and Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles by teaming with international technology partners to transfer and localize Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Data Processing technologies embedded in those systems. INTRA has a track record in performing technical studies to integrate different aerial and ground sub-systems that include payloads, and sensors that include EO/IR cameras, radar systems, satellite communications systems, and weapon systems. INTRA is also providing a highly mobile and modular Ground Segment and communication System to store and transport Unmanned Aerial systems and Ground Support Equipment and provide encrypted high-speed Command and Control to the Unmanned Aerial System
Training, partnership, and technology transfer are demanded on UAS industry. What are Intras main core strengths in UAS design and manufacturing?
Since its establishment, INTRA has built technical capabilities and competent teams with very advanced skills working on the highest international standards to design, develop, and operate different Unmanned Systems.
INTRA has invested heavily in development of different UAS and Payloads, including the development of the first local VTOL UAS “ASEF” that has been announced in Dubai Airshow 2019, the INTRA’s VTOL will be fully operational this year.
INTRA has established the first UAS manufacturing facility in KSA with the highest international standards to meet the increasing demand for UAS systems, the factory area is estimated at more than 6000 square meters, it will be used to manufacture, assembly and test of different UAS. INTRA has also established Development and MRO center in Riyadh for the UAS subsystems such as Electro-Optics and other systems.