Integrating for Sovereignty: A Proposal to Accelerate Defense Localization in Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Saudi Arabia has embarked on an ambitious journey to localize its defense industry—an initiative deeply tied to Vision 2030’s broader goals of strategic independence, economic diversification, and job creation. Through the efforts of GAMI, MODON, SAMI, and other stakeholders, considerable progress has been made in building industrial capacity and forging international partnerships.

Yet amid this progress, one structural challenge remains:

How can we ensure that the varied needs of all national security forces—from the Armed Forces to the Interior Ministry—are translated into unified industrial action?

This article proposes the establishment of a new body: the National Agency for Integration of Defense & Security Capabilities.

Its purpose: to bridge the gap between operational foresight and industrial execution, ensuring that localization efforts are focused, coordinated, and strategically aligned.

The Current Landscape: Progress and Gaps

Saudi Arabia’s defense ecosystem is composed of multiple institutions with distinct mandates:

• Ministry of Defense / Armed Forces: Leading strategic operations and procurement.

• Ministry of Interior: Managing border security, internal protection, and special forces.

• National Guard: Independent military entity tasked with both defense and internal support.

• GAMI: The regulatory body for defense industry development, licensing, and localization.

While each entity works effectively within its own scope, capability development remains segmented. Industrial players are often forced to respond to diverse, uncoordinated demands—slowing the pace of localization and limiting the emergence of scalable, joint-use platforms.

The Strategic Gap: No Unified Technical Voice

Saudi Arabia does not currently have a single technical-operational authority that:

• Forecasts cross-agency threat scenarios,

• Defines shared capability needs,

• Prioritizes and sequences development plans,

• Aligns localization programs across all security branches.

This absence leads to:

• Duplication of efforts across security entities,

• Fragmented demand signals for industry and academia,

• Missed opportunities for cost-efficiency, interoperability, and innovation.

The Proposal: A National Agency for Integration of Defense & Security Capabilities

This agency would function as a central integration and foresight body, housed under the national security framework, and directly supporting both operational commands and the defense industrial base.

🔷 Key Functions

1. Threat Forecasting & Strategic Planning

   • Conduct cross-agency horizon scanning for emerging security threats (cyber, unmanned systems, electronic warfare, etc.).

   • Translate these into forward-looking capability roadmaps.

2. Joint Capability Definition

   • Facilitate inter-agency working groups to identify shared needs and eliminate redundant programs.

   • Define high-impact, dual-use technology priorities.

3. Industrial Coordination

   • Engage local defense companies, startups, and research institutions early in the capability development process.

   • Ensure supply chain readiness and rapid prototyping capabilities.

4. Training & Workforce Alignment

   • Work with technical colleges, military academies, and training centers to develop fast-track programs that serve immediate industrial requirements (e.g., drone maintenance, radar calibration, secure communications).

5. Localization Program Integration

   • Advise GAMI on priority subsystems for localization (e.g., EO/IR sensors, waveguides, encrypted chips, tactical software).

   • Recommend fast-track procurement pipelines for made-in-Saudi solutions.

Why This Approach Matters

This agency is not a replacement for Armed Forces planning or GAMI’s regulatory role—it is a complementary platform that:

✅ Speeds up localization by removing fragmentation✅ Enables Saudi innovators to build with purpose, not speculation✅ Aligns technical education with operational and industrial needs✅ Creates long-term capability, not just local assembly

In a world of complex threats and rapidly evolving technologies, strategic coherence is no longer optional—it is essential.

Conclusion: Sovereignty Requires Synchronization

Saudi Arabia has proven its ability to think big, act fast, and build boldly. The defense sector is no exception. However, the next stage of localization will require more than factories and partnerships—it will require deep integration between those who define the mission and those who build the tools.

A National Agency for Integration of Defense & Security Capabilities could be the quiet engine behind Saudi sovereignty—ensuring that knowledge, strategy, and industry move forward together.