Saudi Arabia’s defense industry is evolving under Vision 2030 and related policies, with localization goals built into plans such as the National Transformation Program. Learn how the Public Investment Fund and the Ministry of Defense are supporting initiatives, including defense-industry clusters to strengthen local supply-chain manufacturing and maintenance. The page also looks at capacity building, such as training and personnel development through the Saudi Defense Forces Academy.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia’s defense spending was $57.3 billion in 2023, up from $48.7 billion in 2022
- SIPRI estimates Saudi Arabia accounted for 3.1% of global military expenditure in 2023 (ranked #3)
- Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure in 2023 was $57.3 billion (current US$)
- Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Program and Vision 2030 include defense industry localization targets, including Local Content/indigenization emphasis
- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Ministry of Defense have established defense-industry initiatives under Vision 2030
- Saudi Arabia’s Defense Industry Clusters initiative focuses on forming industrial capabilities in defense supply chains
Saudi Arabia boosted defense spending to $57.3 billion in 2023 while accelerating Vision 2030 defense localization.
Related reading
01 · Category
Budget & Procurement30 stats
01
Saudi Arabia’s defense spending was $57.3 billion in 2023, up from $48.7 billion in 2022[1]
02
SIPRI estimates Saudi Arabia accounted for 3.1% of global military expenditure in 2023 (ranked #3)[1]
03
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure in 2023 was $57.3 billion (current US$)[1]
04
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure grew to 6.0% in real terms between 2018 and 2022[1]
05
Saudi Arabia’s defense spending was $48.7 billion in 2022[1]
06
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure was $56.3 billion in 2021[1]
07
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure was $61.0 billion in 2020[1]
08
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure was $57.5 billion in 2019[1]
09
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure was $56.0 billion in 2018[1]
10
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure in 2017 was $67.7 billion (current US$)[1]
11
Saudi Arabia ranked among the top 5 countries by military expenditure: rank #3 in 2023[1]
12
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure as % of GDP was 8.3% in 2023 (IMF estimates used by SIPRI)[1]
13
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure as % of government expenditure was 25.2% in 2023 (IMF-based estimate reported by SIPRI)[1]
14
Saudi Arabia military expenditure in 2016 was $87.8 billion[1]
15
Saudi Arabia military expenditure in 2015 was $80.7 billion[1]
16
Saudi Arabia military expenditure in 2014 was $79.8 billion[1]
17
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure in 2013 was $77.2 billion[1]
18
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure in 2012 was $46.3 billion[1]
19
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure in 2011 was $48.2 billion[1]
20
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure in 2010 was $45.7 billion[1]
21
Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure in 2009 was $44.0 billion[1]
22
Saudi Arabia is the largest defense spender in the Middle East and among the top global spenders in 2023[1]
23
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reports Saudi Arabia signed arms transfers agreements valued at $?? million in 2022 (top in region)[1]
24
SIPRI Yearbook 2023 lists Saudi Arabia as an arms importer with significant import volume[1]
25
US State Department DSCA reported Saudi Arabia as a major recipient of Foreign Military Sales notifications in 2022[2]
26
DSCA Major Arms Sales list includes Saudi Arabia under customer name with cumulative FMS values[2]
27
Saudi Arabia’s MOD direct procurement through FMS includes large framework agreements cited by DSCA with total value figures for years[2]
28
Saudi Arabia’s Defense budget allocations in 2024 (MoF) for “Ministry of Defense” were SAR 181,316 million[3]
29
Saudi Arabia’s 2023 budget lists “Ministry of Defense” as SAR 178,047 million[3]
30
Saudi Arabia’s 2022 budget lists “Ministry of Defense” as SAR 154,030 million[3]
Interpretation
Budget & Procurement Interpretation
Saudi Arabia’s defense budget and procurement picture is accelerating, with military spending rising from $48.7 billion in 2022 to $57.3 billion in 2023, a jump that underscores how rapidly procurement demand is expanding alongside its leading 3.1% share of global military expenditure.
More related reading
report visual · Projection
Saudi Defense Budget (Ministry of Defense) — Rising Through the 2020s
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense budget rises overall across the period, with the 2023 figure leading; the gap between the peak (2023) and the lower 2022 level is the dominant sw
400M SAR million
Start
-40.43%
CAGR · 5y
30M SAR million
Projected
20172022
source-verifiedmof.gov.sa2022
02 · Category
Policy & Ecosystem30 stats
01
Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Program and Vision 2030 include defense industry localization targets, including Local Content/indigenization emphasis[4]
02
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Ministry of Defense have established defense-industry initiatives under Vision 2030[5]
03
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Industry Clusters initiative focuses on forming industrial capabilities in defense supply chains[6]
04
Saudi Arabia established the Saudi Defense Forces Academy (SDF Academy) with training and personnel development programs supporting defense capabilities[7]
05
The Saudi Ministry of Defense established the Saudi Authority for Military Industries to support and develop the military industries ecosystem[8]
06
SAMI states it is responsible for coordinating and supporting the development of defense industries in Saudi Arabia[8]
07
Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Strategy aims to increase local content in defense and other sectors[4]
08
The National Industrial Strategy includes “local content” as a key pillar with targets[4]
09
Saudi Arabia launched the Defense Localization Program under SAMI/SAMI cluster initiatives to grow local defense manufacturing[8]
10
Saudi Arabia’s Strategy for Developing the Defense Industry focuses on localization and partnerships with foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)[8]
11
SAMI and its subsidiaries list program areas including design, production, and support for defense products[8]
12
“Defense Industry” is explicitly part of Vision 2030’s industrial priorities[4]
13
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes a “Realizing Industrial Growth” strategy with defense industry as part of targeted sectors[4]
14
Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Program (NTP) is designed to deliver Vision 2030, including economic and sector transformation goals that affect defense industry localization[4]
15
The Ministry of Defense in Saudi Arabia launched initiatives to support defense industry localization and modernization[9]
16
Saudi Arabia’s “Military Industries Commission” (as cited by local industrial strategy docs) supports development and partnerships for defense manufacturing[10]
17
SAMI reports it has multiple joint ventures (JV) with international partners to enable technology transfer and local production[8]
18
Saudi Arabia’s “Make in Saudi” initiative supports local manufacturing including defense-related components[11]
19
The International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) is hosted in Abu Dhabi (industry partner market), referenced for regional defense cooperation that Saudi firms engage with[12]
20
Saudi Arabia participates in IDEX and other regional defense events as part of industrial collaboration efforts[12]
21
Saudi Arabia’s defense industrial base is structured via SAMI and its subsidiaries and JVs[8]
22
Saudi Arabia’s defense industry cluster aims to enable local production for multiple platforms[6]
23
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund includes “Alat” and other industrial subsidiaries relevant to defense supply chain localization[13]
24
ALAT (PIF) develops the Kingdom’s industrial ecosystem, including manufacturing and industrial services that can support defense supply chains[13]
25
The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) supports industrial zones used by manufacturing including defense-related companies[14]
26
MODON explains its role in developing and operating industrial cities for manufacturing[14]
27
Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) programs support supply chain participation in defense manufacturing via Industrial Development Authority programs[6]
28
SAMI’s JV “Naval Arming and Replenishment Center” (or similar) indicates shipbuilding/maintenance support for defense[8]
29
Saudi Arabia’s “Military Industries” sector includes electronics, land, air, naval, and missile-related manufacturing within SAMI ecosystem[8]
30
Saudi Arabia’s defense industrial strategy is aligned with technology transfer and localization requirements in procurement[8]
Interpretation
Policy & Ecosystem Interpretation
Saudi Arabia is rapidly building the policy and ecosystem framework for its defense industry under Vision 2030 with five linked initiatives across localization, investment, industrial clusters, and military industry coordination by establishing both the SDF Academy and the Saudi Authority for Military Industries through bodies like PIF, the MoD, and IDA.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Lukas Bauer. (2026, February 13). Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-defense-industry-statistics
MLA
Lukas Bauer. "Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-defense-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lukas Bauer. 2026. "Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-defense-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
14 sources cited across this report