Saudi Arabia has rolled out its first domestically assembled Hawk Mk 165 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft. The ceremony at King Abdulaziz Air Base was attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who oversees the defense ministry, and marked an important milestone for the Saudi defense industry.
The Hawk aircraft is a single-engine, jet-powered advanced trainer manufactured by the United Kingdom’s BAE Systems, which has sold more than 900 of the aircraft around the world. The Hawk, regarded for its agility and handling, is operated by the British Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows display team and the Saudi Hawks Aerobatic Team.
Used primarily as a trainer for pilots before they begin training on fighter aircraft, such as the Eurofighter Typhoons and F-15 Eagles in the case of the Royal Saudi Air Force, the Hawk Mk 165 is easily adaptable into a light combat aircraft.
Saudi Arabia is to locally assemble 22 aircraft as part of a contract for 44 trainers to replace the Royal Saudi Air Force’s Hawk Mk 65 and Mk 65A training aircraft. Some parts for the aircraft are to be produced domestically.
The project was carried out under the Saudi-British Defence Cooperation Programme, in collaboration with BAE Systems. The Saudi Press Agency said more than 70% of the workforce on the programme was composed of Saudi nationals from more than 25 companies who had received training for more than two years from British and international mentors.
With such programmes, the United Kingdom is supporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030, which aims to restructure the Saudi economy and create growth in non-oil sectors.
Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s largest defense budgets. Although defense spending has accounted for around 12% of the Saudi government’s annual budget, only 2% of requirements could be met locally.
Vision 2030 aims to correct that imbalance and develop Saudi national industries so half of the annual defense spending can be localized. If it can meet the targets laid out in Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia stands to gain from the creation of thousands of high-skilled jobs and multibillion-dollar savings.
The assembly of Hawk jet in Saudi Arabia provides important experience and exposure to Saudi engineers and technical experts, many of whom have been involved in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of older Hawks and other aircraft for many years.
It will also help Saudi efforts in directing the development of industrial infrastructure and testing facilities for complex projects related to defense and aerospace programmes.
The next step for Saudi Arabia with large contracts such as this one for the Hawk replacement would have local industries involved in the licensed manufacturer of key components and their integration.
These experiences are also valuable as Saudi industry drives ahead with its manufacturing and integration efforts.
Saudi Arabia’s leading defense industry players, such as Military Industries Corporation, Advanced Electronic Company, Alsalam Aircraft Industries, and Saudi Arabian Military Industries company, produce an array of platforms from armored vehicles to munitions and remotely piloted vehicles. Saudi nationals involved in such projects gained by learning from British approaches to programme management, engineering and supply chain management.
The Saudi-UK defense partnership is one of the most important for both countries, underpinning decades-old strategic ties and guaranteeing thousands of jobs in the British defense and aerospace
sectors.
Saudi Arabia is the most important international customer for BAE Systems, accounting for around 16% of its revenues. BAE Systems reportedly employs 6,000 people in Saudi Arabia to support its operations there with key customers.
Last year, BAE Systems, the lead industrial partner for the pan-European Eurofighter consortium, signed an agreement with Riyadh for the supply of 48 Typhoon multirole fighter aircraft. BAE Systems previously concluded deals for 72 Typhoon aircraft, spares, training and maintenance, which were delivered from 2008-17.
SOURCE : ALBILAD
