SAMI Local Content Program Concludes Its First 'RUKN Supplier Day' to Advance Industrial Collaboration Between Saudi, Turkish Companies
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the national defense and security champion, a PIF company, has concluded its first RUKN Supplier Day under its Local Content Program (RUKN). The event brought together SAMI Group companies and a group of Saudi companies with Turkish industrial suppliers to explore localization opportunities and supply-chain requirements. The two-day event took place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from November 11 to 12, 2026.
The event was organized by SAMI Local Content Program (RUKN), with support from DEİK, the Türkiye–Saudi Arabia Business Council, and SAHA EXPO Istanbul. It brought together more than 100 companies through leading Turkish industrial groups and their wider supply chains. Participants included ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, ROKETSAN and FNSS, among others.
The RUKN Supplier Day was also attended by senior Saudi and Turkish government and defense-sector representatives, including Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, Acting Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), and Vice Chairman of the Board of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) Bandar AlKhorayef, CEO of SAMI Group Eng. Thamer bin Mohammed Al-Muhid, Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül, and President of the Turkish Defence Industries Agency Haluk Görgün.
Over the two days, through workshops, roundtable discussions, and dedicated business-to-business meetings, representatives from SAMI Advanced Electronics Company, SAMI Ammunition, SAMI Alsalam Aerospace Company, SAMI Land Company, and SAMI Autonomous Company explored supplier capabilities against 95 targeted requirements for systems and components. These spanned areas including aerospace sustainment, land systems, autonomous and unmanned systems, ammunition, defense electronics and advanced manufacturing.
Participating Saudi companies presented their industrial capabilities and areas of expertise, while engaging with Turkish suppliers on potential sourcing and supply opportunities, local production, supplier development and industrial collaboration. These discussions helped identify opportunities to strengthen the Saudi supply chain, expand local manufacturing, and support the development of Saudi companies, with longer-term potential to advance technology and AI capabilities, enable knowledge transfer and create jobs in the Kingdom.
The event marks an important step in moving RUKN from launch into direct supplier engagement, connecting SAMI Group’s companies and Saudi companies requirements with relevant international industrial capabilities and creating pathways for further technical and commercial engagement.
Al-Muhid said: “The strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Türkiye has laid the foundations for industrial cooperation. Our role is to build on these foundations through partnerships that combine Türkiye’s industrial expertise with opportunities to grow and invest with SAMI Group and Saudi companies. Through RUKN, this gathering connected our companies with qualified suppliers and industrial partners. Our ambition goes beyond contracts to lasting partnerships that strengthen local manufacturing, develop Saudi suppliers, and enable technology and knowledge transfer in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”
Launched at World Defense Show 2026 by Minister of Defense and Chairman of SAMI Group Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, RUKN identifies critical value chains and strategic dependencies to guide local capability development. Its two strategic routes focus on increasing local production and embedding local content in procurement, while reducing reliance on external suppliers through a more coordinated and resilient national production network. The program combines governance, digital tools and incentives with investment in technology, infrastructure and Saudi talent to support supply-chain resilience and long-term defense readiness.
Through RUKN, Saudi companies and suppliers are connected with industrial partners, relevant government entities and national enablers to support the development of localized industrial capabilities and strengthen the wider national defense ecosystem. The program supports Saudi companies in developing their capabilities and participating more effectively in local supply chains, while contributing to Saudi Vision 2030, including the Kingdom’s goal to localize more than 50% of total military spending by 2030, alongside wider ambitions for industrial growth and job creation.
