Saudi Arabia and US Companies Partner to Build Advanced Software Facility
A quiet but significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s technological transformation is taking shape in Riyadh. SAMI Advanced Electronics Company (SAMI-AEC), a key player in the nation’s defense and aerospace sector, has unveiled a strategic collaboration with American global security and aerospace giant, Lockheed Martin. Together, they are launching a new software factory—a facility poised to become a crucible for advanced digital innovation.
This partnership is far more than a standard business deal. It represents a direct investment in the intellectual and technical sinews of the Kingdom. The core mission is clear: to accelerate the local development of cutting-edge software solutions that will support Saudi Arabia’s evolving digital command-and-control infrastructure.
More Than Code: A Platform for Sovereignty
The term “software factory” might suggest mere production lines. In reality, this initiative is designed as an advanced, integrated platform. It will encompass the entire lifecycle of software creation—from initial development and rapid prototyping to integration, rigorous testing, and final deployment. This end-to-end approach ensures that solutions are not just imported, but deeply understood, adapted, and born within the Kingdom.
The tangible benefits are twofold. First, it will enable Saudi engineering teams to deliver mission-critical software enhancements with greater speed and efficiency across diverse operational environments. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it systematically embeds disciplined engineering practices and facilitates a structured transfer of knowledge. This is a masterclass in capability building, with Saudi engineers working shoulder-to-shoulder with global experts.
Vision 2030 in Action: An Early Proof of Concept
The collaboration’s impact is already moving from promise to practice. Remarkably, within the first two weeks of the partnership, joint teams of Saudi engineers and trainees from SAMI-AEC and Lockheed Martin achieved an early milestone. They successfully developed an operational capability that integrates commercial aircraft location data directly into the CommandIQ system’s operational picture.
This swift, tangible outcome is a powerful demonstration. It highlights the speed of local technical integration and proves that close collaboration can rapidly yield real-world capabilities. It’s a testament to the readiness of Saudi talent and the effectiveness of this transfer-focused model.
Cultivating Homegrown Talent
The vision for the factory, as articulated by SAMI-AEC CEO Ziad Al-Musallam, is rooted in national growth. “This initiative reflects our commitment to developing local capabilities in software and digital solutions,” he stated, “and to building a robust environment where Saudi engineers can gain practical, high-impact technical expertise.”
This statement captures the essence of the project. It’s not solely about the software that will be produced today, but about the engineers and innovators being forged for tomorrow. The factory reinforces a long-term focus on building sustainable national capabilities, fostering structured skills development, and advancing a modern, resilient digital ecosystem entirely within the Kingdom.
This new software factory stands as a concrete symbol of Saudi Arabia’s strategic path. It’s where global technology leadership meets ambitious national vision, ensuring that the Kingdom’s digital future is built, line by line, by its own creative spirit.
Also Read:
Saudi Arabia Praises Strong Ties With UAE Leadership
Somalia’s Parliament in Turmoil as Lawmakers Clash Over Constitution Changes
