RIYADH, 14 May — Fifty-seven Saudi youths, who graduated from a five-year training program of BAE Systems, were honored at a function held here on Sunday.
An official of BAE Systems told Arab News that the training would qualify them as technicians on the Pilatus PC-9 propeller aircraft used in the training of fast jet pilots for the Royal Saudi Air Force. He said more Saudis will be enrolled as aircraft technicians in the coming years.
According to BAE Systems’ chief executive, Phil Champniss, who has been in the Kingdom since 1979, the launch of the training program has brought in half of the number of PC-9 aircraft technicians as Saudis. "Over the next few years, we should be able to say that all our technicians are locals, performing a vital technical task. The program has been so successful that we have developed it as the model for training Saudi technicians for Hawk fast jets."
Addressing the graduates on the advances made in the transfer of skills to young Saudis, he said: "When I first arrived in Saudi Arabia, I never thought to see this. I admire you enormously; you are the future of the country. As you work alongside your former trainers on the flight line, use them for advice; none of us ever stops learning."
BAE Systems, formerly known as British Aerospace, has been in the Kingdom for nearly 30 years. Nearly half of its 5,400 employees in the Kingdom are Saudis. The company has stepped up its drive to transfer more of its engineering operations to Saudi companies, the company official said, adding that it employs 120,000 people worldwide in high technology applications in defense and aviation.
The official said the training program was instituted in 1996, offering places to 20 Saudi employees of the company each year. It consists of two years of theoretical studies followed by three years of on-the-job training at Riyadh air base.
Copter delivery: The Kingdom has received the first two of fleet of 16 search and rescue helicopters under a contract between the Ministry of Defense and Aviation and the US company Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
To be part of the squadron at the Taif air base, these helicopters are equipped with the most advanced technology for search and rescue missions. The copters, which can carry 9-13 passengers will be deployed on civilian missions around the Kingdom.
