Saudi Foreign Minister: We will buy the best weapons and what we see as "the most appropriate for us"

[Corruptistan]

tot dont give you the people you need

Are you intellectually challenged? You think a nation of 35 million people (approaching 40) with one of the most educated populations (and youngest - 2/3 of the entire population is below 30 or 25 years), with the best ranked universities in the entire Muslim world, with 100.000's if not (1-2 million throughout history) who sought education abroad (West and mostly top Western universities) and a country that is already very industrialized in numerous fronts related to the natural and mineral resource industry (oil, gas, minerals, plastics, engineering etc.) lacks an industrial base?

I suggest taking a look at the "Made in KSA" thread to cure your ignorance.

That too with the endless funding that KSA has (money), political ambitions (MbS is not messing around), DECADES (ToT did not start 8 years ago when King Salman became king - just look at the Saudi Arabia-China missile deal 35 years ago (!) ) of ToT with numerous partners, already qualified personal (local) and most likely employment of foreign personnel that is actively helping local talent and working alongside qualified local talent etc.

You think that all those, quite frankly amazing considering where KSA was just 20 years ago, developments in the domestic military industry of late (last 5 years alone) just fell down from the sky?

BTW unlike most other weapons exporting countries and potential ones, KSA does not need that extra money. They are mostly solely doing it for gaining more self-sufficiency, security reasons in other words, export income is just a potential side income. In fact Saudi Arabian arms exporting firms are already exporting some weapons abroad.

@The SC

With money and with ToT, you can expect anything. MBS has a vision where its army will be self sufficient in 2030. So we have to wait and see.

From what I understand the goal in 2030 is to derive 50% of all military needs from local sources. 100% self-sufficiency (1-2 countries truly have such a degree of self-sufficiency) would be impossible, unrealistic and not worth it (economically speaking).

Also it is unknown if the goal of 50% self-sufficiency will be met on time, but even if it is "only" say 40% by 2030, it would be great, great news, and events on the ground and policies on the ground, show that KSA is moving in the right direction (more and more self-sufficient) by each month with impressive and interesting military projects to boost.