Leonardo CEO says Saudi talks progressing on aerostructures JV

Leonardo S.p.A. has confirmed that discussions with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are progressing on the development of a joint venture focused on aerostructures, as part of a broader strategic collaboration in the aerospace and defense sectors. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Leonardo, the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA), and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) during recent bilateral meetings between Italy and Saudi Arabia. This agreement builds on a prior MoU signed in early 2024, which outlined potential areas of collaboration including airframe maintenance, electronic warfare systems, and helicopter assembly.

Leonardo has a long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia, having supplied a range of platforms, systems, and technologies to the Kingdom over several decades. The proposed joint venture is expected to enhance local industrial capabilities and align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which emphasize economic diversification and self-sustaining defense industry development. Leonardo’s collaboration with local partners, including Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), also extends to the development of advanced technologies such as vehicle-mounted combat computing systems and thermal vision enhancement solutions. These initiatives reflect Leonardo’s broader strategy to strengthen its industrial footprint in the region while supporting the modernization of allied defense forces.