Boeing has partnered with the King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (KACST) to launch the Decision Support Center (DSC) at KACST.

The center will serve as a key tool for collaboration and experimentation between customers and partners in the Kingdom providing users with the ability to make more informed modernization and interoperability decisions regarding aerospace and defense platforms.

The facility will use local Saudi capabilities and will be staffed primarily by Saudi nationals, according to a press release.

It says the DSC in Saudi Arabia is one of five such centers around the globe.

The other four are situated in Australia, India, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

“The inauguration of the center is the activation of the agreement signed in 2010, between KACST and Boeing,” said KACST President Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel.

The center will enhance the relationship between both organizations, and will contribute to the integration of cadres and national capacities, he said.

“The modeling tools, simulation and advanced analysis will help to explore and understand the implications of proposed regulations within the interactive environment,” he added.

Al-Suwaiyel’s remarks came as he and Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad Al-Saud, KACST VP Research Institutes, joined Boeing and KACST executives in a preview tour of the new DSC in advance of the facility’s opening later this year.

Ahmed Jazzar, president of Boeing in Saudi Arabia, said: “The relationship between Boeing and Saudi Arabia began nearly 70 years ago and the Kingdom continues to be a key partner for Boeing.”

He said: “We are honored to partner with King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology on this important milestone for our organization and we remain committed to supporting the Kingdom’s aerospace industry.”