The Saudi Military Industries Company (SAMI) has emerged as a leading participant in the fifth edition of the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS), which is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The show was opened by His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of the HM the King and Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of BIAS, taking place on November 14-16 at the Sakhir Airbase.

SAMI’s participation in BIAS comes in an effort to explore investment opportunities offered by the show and reflects the historical relations between the two kingdoms at all levels and the economic prosperity Bahrain has achieved, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Following the inauguration ceremony,  HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa visited SAMI’s pavilion where he was briefed on the company’s achievements and military services in four key areas, namely aeronautics, ground systems, weapons and missiles, and defense electronics. In remarks following his visit, His Highness expressed admiration and appreciation for the qualitative leap of the Saudi military industries, under the guidance and with the unlimited support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

Dr. Andreas Schwer, Chief Executive Officer of SAMI, expressed his pride with the company’s participation in the region’s most advanced air show. He said: "This important international event provides a unique platform for meeting decision-makers and industry leaders in aviation and military industries from all over the world, as well as the aviation ecosystem as a whole. The air show has cemented its reputation as an unparalleled venue to exchange ideas and expertise on challenges and opportunities in these two vital sectors." ‎"Our participation in the Bahrain International Air Show is aimed at ‎highlighting SAMI’s ‎growing military capabilities and showcasing our ‎achievements in enhancing self-sufficiency in ‎defense capabilities. ‎We are ‎keen to take advantage of the unique opportunities offered by the show and ‎the ‎promising investment prospects in Saudi Arabia’s booming military ‎industries in order to support the Kingdom’s vision of localizing ‎over 50 percent of military equipment ‎spending by 2030," Dr. Schwer added. ‎

SAMI has earlier announced the launch of its joint venture, ‘SAMI Navantia Naval Industries,’ with Navantia S.A. to design and build five Avante 2200 corvettes with Combat Management System for the Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia, SPA reported.