-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueTechnical Resources
Key industry organizations–all with knowledge sharing as a part of their mission–share their technical repositories in this issue of SMT007 Magazine. Where can you find information critical to your work? Odds are, right here.
The Path Ahead
What are you paying the most attention to as we enter 2025? Find out what we learned when we asked that question. Join us as we explore five main themes in the new year.
Soldering Technologies
Soldering is the heartbeat of assembly, and new developments are taking place to match the rest of the innovation in electronics. There are tried-and-true technologies for soldering. But new challenges in packaging, materials, and sustainability may be putting this key step in flux.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
SAMI Buys Riyadh-based Advanced Electronics Company (AEC)
June 26, 2019 | PRNewswireEstimated reading time: 3 minutes

Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) has announced the signing of a Term Sheet Agreement to acquire 100% ownership in Advanced Electronics Company (AEC). The agreement signing took place at a Saudi Arabia – UK industry event in London in the presence of senior shareholder representatives, including His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, and Sir Roger Carr, Chairman of BAE Systems.
SAMI's investment in AEC, the Riyadh-based private sector firm specializing in engineering, development, manufacturing, repair and technical support across defense, Information Communications Technology (ICT), energy, cybersecurity and high-tech fields, at the local, national, regional, and international levels, comes as part of SAMI's ongoing efforts aimed at increasing local defense manufacturing in the Kingdom, in line with the directives of the Saudi Vision 2030.
H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, said: "The foundation for the institution and growth of SAMI was laid three years ago with the announcement of the Saudi Vision 2030. SAMI's journey began in 2017, and since then we have forged ahead with the backing of our country's leadership, steadfast efforts of our team and support of our partners. Today's agreement marks a significant milestone for us, as we advance our efforts to build a strong, dynamic and sustainable military industries sector in Saudi Arabia."
H.E. Al-Khateeb added: "Defense electronics is a mission-critical element of the defense sector, and the acquisition of AEC firmly establishes SAMI's presence on the global defense industry map. Furthering our aspirations in the sector, it will help us drive local content and stimulate economic growth."
Established in 1988 under the Saudi Economic Offset Program, and under the ownership of a number of companies, including international defense, aerospace and security company BAE Systems, AEC has played a pioneering role in the fields of modern electronics, manufacturing, system integration, and repair and maintenance services for nearly three decades, thereby becoming a major regional player renowned for innovation. AEC specializes in the design, development, manufacturing, maintenance and repair of several advanced industry and military electronic systems, devices and equipment such as smart electricity and water meter systems, security protection systems for the vital infrastructure, industrial control systems, sight systems for the Typhoon aircraft, jammer and interference systems for the F-15 aircraft, electronic units for the F-16 aircraft, land equipment and training simulators for the Hawk 165 aircraft, and sight systems for the Tornado aircraft, among others.
AEC's evolutionary growth has seen the company play a key role in localizing military manufacturing, deploying smart technologies, and accelerating industrial and commercial growth, while maintaining a Saudization rate of over 80% and 100% completion rate across more than 1,000 projects. AEC has developed its own framework, Aligned Integrated Methodology (AIM), which provides a standardized approach to governance and delivery, and comprises methodologies in Portfolio, Program and Project Management.
Over the past few years, AEC has witnessed a steady growth in its sales year on year, with net sales in 2018 rising to SAR 2.07 billion, compared to SAR 1.925 billion in 2017, and SAR 1.65 billion in 2016.
Following the acquisition, AEC will form the core of establishing SAMI's original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-agnostic defense electronics and indigenous defense technology solutions business division, cutting across all of its business streams. In addition, SAMI's total number of employees will significantly increase to reach 2,200, as a result of the acquisition.
In addition to facilitating Transfer of Technology (ToT), boosting local production, and deepening engineering, design, development, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work, the acquisition will enable SAMI, through AEC, to develop its own mature products to help achieve its strategic goals set for the year 2030.
Since its inception in mid-2017, SAMI has been leading Saudi Arabia's efforts in developing self-sufficient defense capabilities with its fast-growing portfolio of military products and services spanning four business divisions—aeronautics, land systems, weapons and missiles, and defense electronics.
About Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI)
Launched in May 2017, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is a state-owned military industries company working under the directives outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030. Aiming to be among the top 25 military industries companies in the world by 2030, SAMI is expected to play a key role in localizing 50% of the Kingdom's total government military spending.
SAMI is combining the latest technologies and the best national talents to develop military products and services at par with international standards across four business divisions—Aeronautics, Land Systems, Weapons and Missiles, and Defense Electronics. The company is also focused on increasing exports and bringing foreign investment to the Kingdom's military industries sector.
Suggested Items
Bridging the Gap: Workforce Collaboration in East Texas
02/13/2025 | Cory Blaylock, IPCIPC has partnered with Stephen F. Austin State University's (SFASU) Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation (CARRI) and the IPC Education Foundation on a transformative project aimed at aligning academic training with real-world demands in electronics manufacturing.
ioTech Returns to LOPEC 2025 with Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Solutions
02/13/2025 | ioTechioTech, winner of the LOPEC Start-up Forum Award 2022 for Most Impactful Technology/Product, returns to LOPEC 2025 (ICM Foyer, Booth FO28.01 – 26-27 February) to showcase key developments on how its ground-breaking disruptive digital deposition technology is shaping the future of printed electronics.
Pieces of a Puzzle: PCB Designer John Watson Sees the Big Picture of Life and Work
02/13/2025 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityJohn Watson started his career in military intelligence and as an electronics repair technician but moved over to printed circuit board design at a time when the whole electronics industry was experiencing a paradigm shift.
INEMI to Kick Off Webinar on Ecological Footprint Minimization for Sustainable Electronics Roadmap
02/12/2025 | iNEMIThe International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (INEMI) will host a webinar on February 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EST (5:00 p.m. CST) to initiate the next phase of development for its Sustainable Electronics Roadmap.
Calumet Electronics Expands Domestic Manufacturing with Capital Investments
02/12/2025 | Calumet ElectronicsCalumet Electronics Corporation, one of America’s most reliable and innovative printed circuit board suppliers, is committed to advancing technologies that are critical to the nation’s aerospace, defense, and commercial markets. In support of that mission, the company is making significant capital investments in equipment to produce high-reliability, high-density interconnect (HDI) printed circuit boards.