Italian-Saudi Industrial Partnership: ELT Group and SAMI-AEC Forge Strategic Alliance
Italy-based defense electronics firm ELT Group has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SAMI Advanced Electronics Company (SAMI-AEC): a branch of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and a key player in the Saudi defense sector.
The MoU was among 26 similar accords established during a Saudi-Italian executive roundtable meeting held in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, on 26 January 2025. This assembly included Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, CEOs, industry leaders, and delegates from significant enterprises of both nations.
The ELT Group/ SAMI-AEC MoU is a continuation of the pact formed at the Cernobbio Forum in September 2024 among ELT Group, the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA), and the Kingdom’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI). By aligning its initiatives with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions, ELT Group strives to unearth partnership prospects in the aerospace and defense realms, furthering the localization of cutting-edge technologies.
“Having established a reliable presence in Saudi Arabia, ELT Group is now scaling its efforts to an industrial level through this collaboration with SAMI-AEC,” the firm declared in a press announcement. “With over 70 years of experience in managing electromagnetic spectrum and developing advanced electronic defense systems across multiple domains, ELT Group is poised to create a strategic alliance with SAMI-AEC. This partnership will facilitate the execution of ongoing and future initiatives while enhancing Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities.
“ELT Group’s enduring connection with Saudi Arabia is also exemplified by the formation of Elettronica for Industry Saudi Arabia: a Saudi-registered entity committed to localizing logistical support and amplifying the defense value chain,” the firm added. “This pact reaffirms ELT Group’s dedication to bolstering the Kingdom’s defense sector, nurturing innovation, and promoting industrial localization, all while contributing to the achievement of Saudi Arabia’s strategic goals.”
