Teledyne FLIR Defense Appoints New Managing Director for MENA Region, Based in Riyadh

Teledyne FLIR Defense, a division of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has declared the appointment of Tarik Solomon as the managing director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Located in Riyadh, Solomon will supervise the firm’s regional expansion strategy, collaborations, and localization efforts across defense, industrial, and cutting-edge technology domains. He will report to Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense.

“The recruitment of Tarik Solomon and the establishment of a regional headquarters in Riyadh illustrate Teledyne’s enduring dedication to the Kingdom and the broader region. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are pivotal in driving the Gulf’s economic evolution,” stated JihFen Lei of FLIR Defense.

Teledyne Technologies has also obtained its Regional Headquarters (RHQ) authorization in Saudi Arabia and intends to unveil a new Middle East headquarters in Riyadh by mid-2026. The RHQ will function as Teledyne’s operations and innovation center for the region, facilitating closer collaboration with governmental ministries and defense and security entities throughout the Gulf. The RHQ will serve as a channel for Teledyne’s global business frameworks, integrating technologies and capabilities from the company’s defense, marine, construction, and other sectors to provide all-encompassing, multi-domain solutions.

“Recruiting Tarik and establishing an RHQ in Riyadh signify Teledyne’s long-lasting commitment to the Kingdom and the surrounding region,” remarked Dr. Lei. “Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are primed to drive the Gulf’s economic transformation. Tarik’s leadership and robust regional connections will further fortify our partnerships and guarantee Teledyne remains a reliable supporter of national priorities.”

Building upon decades of regional engagement, Teledyne FLIR Defense has broadened its presence within the Gulf Cooperation Council’s defense and advanced technology landscapes, featuring cutting-edge imaging, sensing, and unmanned systems solutions. Over the past decade, the firm has increasingly localized its operations, with service centers established across seven nations. FLIR Defense is now progressing initiatives to cultivate integrated regional supply chains that bolster global delivery efforts and promote indigenous research and development in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, autonomy, and data analytics.

“Our objective is to transcend beyond mere import and integration, striving for a genuinely interconnected regional capability,” asserted Solomon. “By developing resilient local supply chains and encouraging joint innovation with strategic allies, Teledyne can aid in advancing sovereign technology development while contributing to the Gulf’s broader economic diversification and competitiveness.”

Teledyne operates across the Middle East through various business segments, including Teledyne FLIR Defense, Teledyne FLIR Solutions, Teledyne Marine, Teledyne Instrumentation, and Teledyne Construction.

Solomon comes to Teledyne FLIR from Arabian Sahara Company, where he held the position of executive director, and UnmannedX, where he led operations and strategic initiatives. He has been a prominent advocate for U.S.-Gulf partnerships, serving as chairman-emeritus of the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, as a board member of the Middle East Policy Council in Washington, D.C., and on Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Regional Board. Solomon earned an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and graduated magna cum laude from Johnson & Wales University.