SAMI Unveils New Manufacturing Hub for Cutting-Edge Aerospace Composite Production
In a bid to enhance Saudi Arabia’s prowess in aerospace and defense production, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has revealed the inauguration of its composite production plant, SAMI Composites LLC, aimed at fabricating composite components for structural aerospace sub-assemblies.
Entirely owned by SAMI and situated to the south of Riyadh International Airport, SAMI Composites LLC spans an area of 27,000 sqm, including 10,000 sqm dedicated to production and operational buildings. This facility is capable of manufacturing structural composite elements and assemblies such as fuselage and wing sections, skin panels, and movable surfaces.
Regarding the announcement, H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, remarked: “In alignment with our dedication to fulfilling the Vision 2030 objectives, we at SAMI concentrate on enhancing Saudi Arabia’s proficiencies in the aerospace and defense sectors. The new composite production facility signifies a substantial advancement in this initiative as it will play a crucial role in promoting the localization of our expertise through collaborations with globally esteemed OEMs, supporting our aerospace exports, and enhancing the skill set of Saudi nationals within the defense manufacturing domain.”
On the subject of the new manufacturing facility, Eng. Walid Abukhaled, CEO of SAMI, stated: “We are excited to have achieved a new landmark in our pursuit of fostering domestic, state-of-the-art products and solutions. With its expansive production facility outfitted with cutting-edge systems and technologies, SAMI Composites LLC will position Saudi Arabia as a foremost supplier and exporter of composite aerospace components, catering to the defense industry and other sectors, both locally and internationally. I am optimistic that the plant will significantly contribute to the national economy by generating approximately 100 high-caliber jobs and bolstering non-oil exports in the forthcoming years.”
SAMI will collaborate with a prominent international Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for this undertaking, thereby facilitating the flow of technology and expertise to bolster local capabilities within the Saudi military industries sector. SAMI Composites LLC will fortify the Saudi aerospace supply chain through the utilization of composite raw materials, production consumables, and manufacturing tools. Furthermore, it is projected to create 28 new high-skill positions in 2022, with an anticipated increase to 90 in forthcoming years.
John Flavin has been appointed as CEO of SAMI Composites LLC, having joined SAMI in May 2021 as Director of Aerostructures. Flavin possesses extensive aerospace experience and is a registered Chartered Engineer, boasting over 26 years in leading various aerospace and aircraft facilities across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
SAMI Composites LLC represents a pivotal achievement in PIF’s endeavors via SAMI to localize cutting-edge technology, nurture knowledge, and forge strategic alliances. Beyond fostering technological advancements in the defense sector of Saudi Arabia, the new plant will expedite the Kingdom’s mission to localize the production of aerospace and defense systems and foster sustainable high-skilled employment, all of which align with the critical goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art systems and machinery ensuring the utmost quality in production. It boasts a significant cleanroom area spanning 2,268 sqm to comply with international OEM standards, facilitating the layup of composite ply materials prior to curing. Its advanced precision machinery includes a 13-meter-long, 6.9-meter-diameter autoclave—the largest in Saudi Arabia, as well as 5-axis CNC equipment, an NDI (nondestructive inspection) Gantry Robot, and ATL (automated tape laying) and AFP (automated fiber placement) machines. In addition to lowering material costs and enhancing aircraft fuel efficiency via lightweight components, composite materials also contribute to environmental sustainability.
The launch of SAMI Composites LLC empowers Saudi Arabia’s aerospace industry with the capacity to produce and assemble intricate aerostructures that exhibit high strength, dependable performance, and lightweight characteristics. While the facility is primarily focused on creating aerospace components for both military and civilian fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, it holds the potential to serve additional sectors, including transportation, construction, agriculture, and healthcare, in light of the growing demand for composite materials across these industries.
