The initiative to establish the Saudi Air and Space Forces increases the reliability of industry and the national economy
The military and space industries find broad national stimulation and interest
Specialists stressed that the Saudi trend towards the localization of space, defense and satellite industry technology is proceeding apace, emphasizing that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is integrated and comprehensive, placing the Kingdom in its leading position in various fields in a strong and capable manner. They pointed out that the launch of the initiative to establish the Royal Saudi Air and Space Forces, which was recently announced to be in its final stages, enhances the Kingdom’s reliability in all parts of the world, as a major hub in global and regional industries and economies as a competing product in global markets. Promotes economic stability globally.
In this regard, the Saudi businessman, Dr. Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Mulaihi, Chairman of the Saudi Excellence Technology Holding Company, confirmed to Al-Riyadh that what the Saudi Ministry of Defense recently announced, regarding the initiative to establish the Royal Saudi Air and Space Forces reaching its final stages, confirms that this approach is a historic strategic step that reflects the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to enhance its defense and technical capabilities and keep pace with rapid developments in the fields of space and advanced air technologies. Al-Melehi stressed that the establishment of this qualitative entity represents a natural extension of the development process witnessed by our armed forces, and confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to building an integrated defense system capable of protecting national interests and enhancing security and stability, while investing in national capabilities and qualified Saudi cadres in the fields of space, innovation and future technologies. In this regard, he pointed out that this initiative represents direct support for the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and a practical embodiment of the directions of the Kingdom’s leaders and its senior officials in the sectors concerned with space and industries. Military.
According to Al-Melehi, the space sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing unprecedented growth, as the size of the Saudi space economy reached $8.7 billion in 2024, with expectations to exceed $31 billion by 2035. This confirms the success of the Kingdom’s vision and the directives of His Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman – may God protect him – in building an economy based on knowledge and advanced technologies, and consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a regional and global power in the space sector and future defense industries.
Al-Melehi referred to the Saudi Space Market 2025 report issued by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), where he explained that the size of the Saudi space economy reached about 8.7 billion dollars in 2024, and includes all activities, services and technologies related to space, while the size of the direct Saudi space market (satellites, space services, infrastructure, space applications) will reach about 1.9 billion dollars in 2024. For his part, Dr. Abdul Rahman Baeshen, President, stressed Al-Shorouk Center for Economic Studies told “Riyadh” that the initiative to establish the Royal Saudi Air and Space Forces has reached its final stages, confirming the state’s keenness to achieve its strategic vision according to a clear vision to reach its goals in a way that enhances the Saudi presence in space and technology in the global competitiveness map, while opening a wide scope for investment in the main sectors of relevant investment opportunities. He expected the Saudi space economy to grow to about $31.6 billion by 2035 at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 12%. He also expected the size of the direct Saudi space market to reach about $5.6 billion by 2035, based in this regard on the report issued by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), noting that there are large areas that can accommodate both local and foreign investments, such as the sectors of satellites, space communications, Earth observation, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, space data analysis, and advanced communications. Satellite Internet, defense space, space security, navigation and positioning, geospatial services, and manufacturing of satellite components and space systems.
