RIYADH, 22 July 2004 — Saudi Arabia’s industrial capability in the aviation sector is being showcased for the first time at a major international aerospace event, with the mounting of a special Saudi exhibit at this year’s Farnborough Air Show in the UK, which opened on Monday. The six-company Saudi display is located at the BAE Systems’ pavilion at the event that ends tomorrow. Companies taking part are Al-Salam Aircraft Company, Aircraft Accessories and Components Company, Advanced Engineering Company, Saudi Development and Training and International Systems Engineering, aside from the Saudi operations of BAE Systems. “The Saudi stand demonstrates the achievements of organizations in the Kingdom in taking steps toward self-sufficiency in manufacturing, maintenance and repair of civil, military and training aircraft,” Damian Turner, executive director BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia, said.
“We think quite a few heads will be turned,” he said. The progress made by Saudi Arabia in the industrial sector has gone largely unheralded in the international marketplace. In addition to the ability to carry out repair and maintenance of operational and training aircraft, organizations in the Kingdom are also taking steps toward original component design and manufacture and aircraft assembly.
“Clearly, there is still a long way to go before the country achieves all its aims, but the fact that most of the basic infrastructure for developing self-sufficiency is in place may surprise some commentators,” he added.
