On the second day of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2021, the Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) hosted His Excellency Mr. Turki Al-Dakhil, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, representing His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as H.E. Dimitri Pantos Minister of State for Military Industries of the Republic of Belarus and a delegation from the British Ministry of Defense at AEC's stand at the Saudi Arabian Pavilion of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2021. The visitors toured the stand and learned about AEC’s wide-ranging products and services in Electronic Warfare, C4ISR, and Cyber Security. They were also briefed on AEC's future strategic directions in line with its commitment to strengthening Saudi Arabia's indigenous military industries sector's capabilities and contributing to localizing 50 percent of the Kingdom's military and security spending as envisaged in Vision 2030.
Riyadh, KSA – 18 February 2021: Advanced Electronics Company (AEC), a Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) company, will participate in the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2021 as part of the Saudi pavilion under the slogan of ‘Invest in Saudi Arabia’. One of the world’s strategically defense exhibitions is set to take place from February 21-25 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.
A regional defense and aerospace leader providing world-class services, systems, and solutions in the fields of Electronic Warfare, C4ISR, Electronics and Cyber Security, AEC will showcase its latest military technologies and products at IDEX 2021. Underlining its commitment to playing a key role in the localization of 50 percent of the Kingdom’s military and security spending as envisaged in the Saudi Vision 2030 program.
On display at AEC’s booth in the exhibition will be services, solutions and systems in the fields of Electronic Warfare, C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and Cyber Security including Radio Over IP System (RoIP), Software Defined Radio (SDR), Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and Electronic Intelligent Solutions (ELINT). The company will also highlight its flagship cybersecurity solutions such as Data Diode, Security Operations Center (SOC) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), as well as its advanced technologies including MADAR, Anti-Drone System and Air Observation System (AOS).
Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Abdulaziz Al Duailej, CEO of AEC, said: “With businesses and industries returning to normal operations, we at AEC consider that our participation in IDEX 2021, as part of the Saudi Pavilion, will provide us with an excellent opportunity to highlight our innovations in the defense sector to prospective regional and international stakeholders. We are keen on gaining insights into new industry trends and customer needs and exploring new growth opportunities to advance our commitment to supporting the Kingdom to achieve the Vision 2030 goal of 50% localization. We look forward to successful participation that will further our efforts to create an ecosystem where AEC will be able to unleash its full potential to enable local talents to manufacture future global technologies locally.”
Established in 1988 and headquartered in Riyadh, AEC has built a firm standing in Saudi Arabia’s military industries sector over more than three decades. The company designs, develops, manufactures, maintains, and repairs advanced systems and products in the defense and aerospace, information and communications technology, security, and energy sectors. It employs more than 2,200 employees, 85 percent of whom are Saudis who include over 500 highly skilled and certified male and female engineers working in various departments.
Aramco and AEC launch cybersecurity solution, designed and manufactured in Saudi Arabia
Data diode is the first product of its kind made in the Kingdom
Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - February 11, 2021: Advanced Electronics Company (AEC), a Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) company, has signed an agreement with Aramco to launch a new cybersecurity product designed and manufactured in the Kingdom. Known as a “data diode,” it is the result of cooperation between the two companies on designing and manufacturing the product.
The data diode is the first of its kind cybersecurity device made in Saudi Arabia. One of the most critical cybersecurity tools, it is used to protect networks of vital establishments from cyber-attacks and prevent any external penetration, thereby protecting valuable information and sensitive industrial systems. The device is characterized by its easy installation, configuration and maintenance, and its data processing speed reaches 10 GB per second.
Furthermore, it contributes to the domestic economy through the localization of industries and services, in line with AEC's aspirations and vision. The company is certified by Aramco’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add (iktva) program, which aims to enhance Saudi Arabia’s commercial ecosystem. AEC achieved a high grade in iktva’s evaluation standards.
AEC President & CEO, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, said the company was focusing its efforts on developing latest technologies, adding: “We appreciate Aramco’s great and important role in enhancing local capabilities and encouraging the domestic workforce through a national strategy to support local content. Our partnership with Aramco is a milestone in our journey, due to the two companies' important positions at the local, regional and international levels. This cooperation resulted in a device that provides cybersecurity solutions and is the first of its kind made in the Kingdom. It contributes to protecting infrastructure and vital information from cyber intrusions and attacks, ensuring the security, confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. The completion of this ambitious project is part of AEC’s commitment to increasing local content and creating job opportunities in line with localization goals and Saudi Vision 2030.”
Aramco Technical Services Senior Vice President, Ahmad Al-Sa’adi, said: “Aramco has always been the first to support local content in its initiatives and projects, as well as in its operations and services. The company is taking a step forward today in the production and manufacturing of advanced technologies in network security and critical infrastructure, through a collaboration with Advanced Electronics Company. The production of the data diode device will play a role in stimulating localization and sends an encouraging message to companies that are investing in local content.
“The data diode device is an integral element in protecting networks from cyber threats and safeguarding critical infrastructure. It is one of the factors enabling industrial digital transformation applications in the Kingdom. It has been developed and manufactured with national competencies to provide the best solutions and systems in the field of cybersecurity. Additionally, on the basis of sustainable product support, the circular economy concept is incorporated into the product development cycle, from manufacturing to maintenance processes.”
Riyadh – 28 December 2020: Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced that it has acquired Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) as part of the largest military industries deal ever concluded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The purchase is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2021 following regulatory approvals. As a result, AEC will become a 100% Saudi-owned company.
The acquisition was announced during a ceremony organized by SAMI in the presence of the members of SAMI’s and AEC’s Board of Directors, and senior officials from the Ministry of Defense, General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), PIF, BAE Systems Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), and other stakeholders.
Commenting on the deal, H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, said: “This deal strengthens SAMI’s presence in the strategically important defense industries market and supports its plans to transfer and localize the military industries. The acquisition will also enhance AEC’s opportunities to expand and compete in its field.” H.E. Al-Khateeb affirmed the support of H.R.H. the Minister of Defense for the transfer and localization of military industries as a key part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. “This achievement also supports PIF’s efforts through SAMI in localizing cutting-edge technology and knowledge, as well as building strategic economic partnerships.”
H.E. Al-Khateeb added, “Considered the ‘crown jewel’ of Saudi Arabia’s military industries and a proud accomplishment for its citizens, AEC will bring about transformative change in the Kingdom’s defense sector by enhancing the industry’s competencies and advancing innovation. With state-of-the-art products, innovative technologies, several decades of experience, and the collective efforts of both SAMI and AEC, the acquisition will shape the future of the domestic defense ecosystem and make long-lasting contributions to the national economy for the upcoming years, through skills development, employment generation, and exports.”
Eng. Walid Abukhaled, CEO of SAMI, thanked the Public Investment Fund (PIF) for its unlimited support and efforts that contributed to the success of the acquisition. He asserted that the deal would serve to enhance the local defense sector, and support and realize the localization rates required by the local content of the military industries.
AEC is considered a major facilitator of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 thanks to its 32-year experience in the military industries market and the leading role it plays in Defense and Aerospace and the development of security local systems. In addition to facilitating the transfer of technology and enhancing local production, the acquisition will enable SAMI to consolidate its defense electronics sector.
SAMI’s acquisition of AEC will support its strategic plan, which aims to expand its business and enter the progressive Defense Electronics sector. The acquisition will also contribute to the implementation of SAMI’s plans to transfer technologies and localize domestic military industries, as well as to strengthen the Saudi defense ecosystem, in line with the directives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, CEO of AEC, said: “SAMI’s acquisition of AEC stock will help us reach our goals and strategic plans for the next five years. It also places us under the umbrella of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the KSA’s sovereign wealth fund, which constitutes a milestone for the company and fills us with pride as directors and employees.”
He added: “This achievement was realized thanks to the commitment, experience and concerted efforts of all the employees in both companies. The deal will provide AEC with the opportunity to further strengthen its position in the military industries market and explore new horizons in advanced technologies in the Kingdom and beyond, as well as support the continuous development of the capacities of national cadres.”
AEC has played since 1988 a pioneering role in the fields of modern electronics, manufacturing, system integration, and repair and maintenance services, thereby becoming a major regional player renowned for innovation. Around 85% of the company’s employees are Saudi nationals, including more than 300 of its male and female engineers. AEC also has over 100 strategic partners and has successfully completed more than 1,000 projects. Furthermore, the company has witnessed steady growth in sales in recent years. In 2019, net sales reached SAR 2.32 billion – up from SAR 2.07 billion in 2018 and SAR 1.92 billion in 2017.
Since its inception in mid-2017 by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), SAMI has been leading Saudi Arabia’s efforts in developing self-sufficient defense capabilities through its fast-growing portfolio of military products and services, spanning across its business divisions, namely Aeronautics, Land Systems, Weapons and Missiles, Defense Electronics, and Emerging Technologies.
