Indicators from the General Authority for Military Industries revealed an increase in the rate of localization of military spending in Saudi Arabia to 27.3 percent during the year 2025, exceeding the annual target of 24 percent. This result falls within the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to localize more than 50 percent of military spending.
Bandar Al-Khorayef, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and Acting Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, said that nationalization has become “a national and strategic requirement linked to raising military readiness, enhancing strategic independence, and building national capabilities.” He stressed the importance of “continuing to work with partners to build on what has been achieved and support the sector’s transition to a new phase of growth and competitiveness.”
Al-Khorayef explained during a speech at the “Military Industries Forum”, which was held on Sunday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, that the Kingdom is working to “build a military industrial base that meets local need and demand, and enhances exports, benefiting from its geographical location that connects 3 continents, and from its investment and industrial capabilities and its qualified human cadres.” These efforts, according to Al-Kharif, are based on “the integration of industrial strategies, localization, exports, mining, and local content.”
Prioritization
The Minister of State, Member of the Saudi Council of Ministers and Acting Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, pointed out that “geopolitical transformations and technical developments, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and unmanned systems, are pushing countries and companies to rearrange their priorities and move towards more flexible supply chains, new industrial partnerships, and diverse production capabilities.” He said that these transformations provide opportunities for the Kingdom to enhance its presence in regional and global markets, including the markets of Asia and Africa, and to benefit from the growing demand for military industries.
He added that the Authority is working to “develop the regulatory and operational environment for the sector, facilitate the investor’s journey, and enhance integration between military, security, governmental agencies and the private sector, in a way that supports international partnerships, transfers technology and knowledge, and enables exports.” He pointed out that the Authority issued a guide for risk management and another for business continuity. “To help the sector’s establishments deal with the challenges and maintain the regularity of their work.”
Local content
According to the data, the local content in the military sector reached 40.91 percent during 2025. The aviation sector topped the fields with 45.17 percent, followed by the missile sector with 43.34 percent, then the naval sector with 36.46 percent, land with 33.49 percent, and defense electronics with 30.71 percent.
Regarding the economic impact, the Authority’s indicators showed that the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product amounted to 7.468 billion riyals ($1.99 billion), while its contribution related to employment amounted to 5.243 billion riyals ($1.40 billion). The revenues of local companies recorded a compound growth of 11.01 percent, while the percentage of Saudization in private sector jobs increased from 51 percent in 2021 to 56 percent in 2025.
These numbers reflect the sector’s expanding role. From meeting military needs, to building a local industrial base linked to supply chains, and opening opportunities for national companies to develop their production and technical capabilities. The percentage of localization in sustainability contracts reached 84 percent, and these contracts provide opportunities for local companies to invest in research, development and innovation, qualify national cadres in precise specializations, and build partnerships with international companies.
As part of enhancing purchasing from local manufacturers, the Authority concluded agreements that include military clothing and equipment, G36 rifles, light ammunition, and ground protection equipment. The value of purchase orders associated with these agreements amounts to 3.4 billion riyals (about 907 million dollars) over 5 years.
Increasing spending efficiency
By measuring local content and localizing purchases, the Authority seeks to raise the efficiency of military spending and increase the participation of national companies, in a way that supports the growth of the sector and enhances its ability to meet the needs of military and security agencies.
Al-Khorayef stressed that the private sector represents a major engine for the growth of military industries, explaining that empowering its facilities includes “developing legislation, addressing the challenges of financing, land, and industrial clusters, and supporting investments and exports.” He also stressed “the importance of developing human resources and developing specialized skills in cooperation with the National Academy of Military Industries, allowing the sons and daughters of the nation to contribute to the development of national industries and technologies.”
Gulf and Islamic condemnations continued for the terrorist Houthi militias' targeting of Mecca and Medina, amid assertions that the attack on Islamic holy sites represents a violation of their sanctity and a threat to the security of civilians, and calls for a firm international stance to stop these attacks.
Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned in the strongest terms the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, stressing that exposing Mecca to the dangers of these attacks represents an extremely dangerous transgression and threatens the security and stability of the region. He stressed that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of the GCC countries, stressing that the Gulf countries stand united by the Kingdom and support it in the measures it takes to protect its lands and preserve the security of its citizens and residents.
In a related context, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais, Head of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Imam and Preacher of the Grand Mosque, condemned the continued targeting of the terrorist Houthi militias against Mecca and Medina, stressing that the repetition of these attacks reveals an aggressive approach and disdain for the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and their status among Muslims.
Al-Sudais stressed that targeting holy sites, civilians, and facilities represents a crime forbidden by Islamic law, condemned in humanity, and in violation of international conventions and norms. He praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect the Two Holy Mosques and preserve their security and the safety of those who visit them.
For its part, the Muslim World League strongly condemned the terrorist Houthi militias’ targeting of Mecca and Medina, and the accompanying fall of parts of missiles and interceptor fragments at sites in the Mecca region and the governorates of Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh.
The Secretary-General of the League and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, confirmed that targeting holy sites represents a serious provocation to the feelings of more than two billion Muslims, and a violation of religious values and humanitarian principles. He reaffirmed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the measures it takes to deter attacks and preserve the sanctity of sanctities and the lives of innocent people.
In turn, Ismail Ould Sheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemned the Houthi attacks on Mecca, Medina, and the Taif and Jeddah governorates, warning of the dangerous consequences of their continuation, calling on the countries of the Islamic world to take collective action and a firm stance to deter the militias and put an end to their practices.
Ould Sheikh Ahmed affirmed the organization’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support in all the measures it takes to protect its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that violating the sanctity of Islamic sanctities is an attack on the entire Islamic nation, requiring urgent international action and holding its perpetrators accountable.
The interception of two ballistic missiles led to parts of them falling in Wadi Al-Mughhams in the Makkah region, in addition to the fall of fragments resulting from the interception operations at sites in the Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh governorates.
This morning (Sunday), the Saudi Civil Defense announced that the danger had passed from the city of Riyadh, shortly after the early warning was issued in emergency situations, as part of the procedures followed to warn of danger.
The Saudi Civil Defense, through its account on the “X” platform, called on the families and residents to continue to follow instructions, avoid gatherings and photography altogether, and contact the emergency number “998” when needed.
The Civil Defense had announced the launch of an alert from the National Emergency Early Warning Platform in Riyadh, to warn of danger, calling on residents to remain calm and follow official instructions.
According to the instructions he published, he called on residents to immediately go to the nearest safe place, whether inside a building or in an interior room away from windows, and to remain there until the danger passes, and not to leave homes or buildings during the warning period.
He stressed the need to stay away from open spaces, windows and glass, and not to stand on balconies or on the roofs of buildings, explaining that if a person is outside the home, he must enter the nearest building or take shelter behind a solid curtain.
He also warned against gathering, photographing, and approaching dangerous sites, calling on vehicle drivers, when receiving a warning message while driving, to stop on the side of the road, away from bridges, tunnels, and high-rise buildings.
The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from its official sources, warning against the circulation of rumors and clips of unknown origin, and stressing the necessity of following instructions issued by the competent authorities through official channels.
