BURAIDAH: The United Defense Company factory, a subsidiary of Qudra Holding Group of Saudi Arabia has successfully produced eight types of drones powered with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and high-resolution cameras, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday.
Situated in the Second Industrial City in Buraidah, the factory has an annual production capacity of approximately 300 drones of different types with the potential to double this output to 600 annually.
Factory Manager Fahd Al-Shammari attributed the achievements of the factory to the enabling policies and regulations implemented by the General Authority for Military Industries, which has provided a conducive investment environment for both domestic and global players in this strategic sector.
Al-Shammari stressed that all drones produced by the factory, whether they involve technology transfer or indigenous development, are completely the intellectual property of Saudi Arabia, crafted by skilled national hands.
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He also added that the company is in the process of founding headquarters at Qassim University following the signing of a research and development agreement.
The United Defense Company factory manufactures drones for different civilian applications, including environmental assessment, industrial monitoring, desertification studies, animal identification, and more. In addition to these civilian drones, the factory also produces military aircraft harnessing artificial intelligence technologies.
Saudi Arabia has prioritized the development of its military industries sector as a means to bolster its national economy and achieve sustainable prosperity. The directive of wise leadership of Saudi Arabia to localize various industries within the Kingdom has paved the way for national companies and global partners to contribute to the sector’s growth. By 2030, the Kingdom aims to localize over 50 percent of government spending on military equipment and services.
