Switzerland set to transfer military resources, skills to Saudi Arabia in coming months

Zino Hart, board member at RAD Arabia

Zino Hart, board member at Swiss-based Rheinmetall Defense, said that the company will begin transferring human resources and skills to the Kingdom in the coming months.

On the sidelines of the World Defense Show, Rheinmetall Defense and Saudi MAZ Group announced the establishment of the RAD Arabia Co., which will manufacture, qualify and train Saudi engineers and technicians on land and sea air defense systems.

The construction agreement will enter into force from beginning of next April, starting with the transfer of human resources and skills.

The company executive indicated that Rheinmetall has chosen the Kingdom as one of its largest customers for many years, stressing that the company seeks to develop this historical relationship and be part of Vision 2030, through the establishment of RAD Arabia.

Rheinmetall will work with RAD Arabia, as well as through its multiple relations in the Kingdom on a number of future projects.

A number of proposals are currently being discussed, with the aim of bringing new technologies and skills, as well as renovating and developing projects in the Kingdom and providing them with the latest techniques, he added.

During the signing agreement, RAD Arabia's Chairman Ibrahim bin Hamad Al-Zeer said that the company will work to localize the manufacture and development of weapons and technologies for air defense systems through its factory in Jeddah, which spans over an area of 25,000 square meters.

He stated that the factory will also maintain equipment and produce spare parts for these systems.

RAD Arabia will rely on Rheinmetall Defense technologies and the engineering and technical capabilities of Saudi MAZ Group to set up a world-leading specialized company in the defense sector in the Kingdom. The company will have local capabilities in the manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including its own research and development to lead production on a global scale that aims at serving its customers in the Kingdom, the Middle East and Africa.