Upcoming Edition
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
25 October 2026
Military Industries Forum
About the Forum
Held annually, the Forum reflects the sector's rapid progress and highlights the efforts of GAMI and its partners to localize military spending, strengthen industrial and service capabilities, and enhance the legislative, regulatory, and investment environment. These efforts support the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, including the localization of more than 50% of military spending by 2030.
The Forum also serves as a platform to deepen collaboration between the public and private sectors, support local and international investors, forge high-value partnerships, and facilitate the exchange of expertise, helping sustain the sector's growth and strengthen its contribution to the national economy.
Forum Activities
- Announcement of Military Spending Localization Results and Indicators.
- Recognition of the Winners of the Excellence Award for Military Industries Localization.
- Panel Discussions on the Future of the Sector.
- Visual Presentations.
Forum Objectives
- Highlight the latest developments in military spending localization and progress across key sector indicators.
- Strengthen the sector's appeal to local and international investors and forge high-value partnerships.
- Highlight the latest sector developments and strategic priorities.
- Strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors and streamline the investor journey.
- Support the development of local industrial capabilities and embed local manufacturers within global supply chains.
- Demonstrate the impact of the Excellence Award in advancing the localization of military industries.
Target Audience
- Military and security government entities.
- Supporting government entities.
- Companies operating in the sector.
- Local and international investors.
The inaugural edition (2024)
The inaugural edition of the Forum was held in Riyadh on November 10, 2024, with participation from a wide range of government entities and private-sector companies. The event aimed to announce the 2024 military spending localization rate, recognize the winners of the Excellence Award for Military Industries Localization, and honor graduates of the military industries sector's domestic study and overseas scholarship programs.
Key Highlights from the First Edition
24.89%
Military spending localization rate in 2024
40.74%
Local content growth rate in 2024
SAR 6.665 billion
Contribution to GDP
SAR 4.255 billion
Contribution to employment
Winners of the Excellence Award for Military Industries Localization:
- Military and Security Entities Excellence
- Sector Companies Excellence Track – Manufacturing Companies Category
- Sector Companies Excellence Track – Service Providers Category
- Sector Companies Excellence Track – Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Category
Excellence Award in Localization Military Industries
Excellence Award in Localizing Military Industries
The award’s contribution to achieving the strategic objectives For GAMI
Strengthening GAMI's relationship
with its partners by enhancing cooperation
between GAMI and military and security entities
Monitoring the localization of military spending
associated with military industry contracts
awarded to military and security entities
Measuring the percentage of spending
on military goods and services directed
to local companies
Leading local manufacturing
and service capabilities by providing guidance and
support to the local companies
Enhancing the appeal of the military
industry through global promotion of the Saudi
military industry
Enhancing the positing of the Saudi military
industries sector through national presence and
highlighting achievements
Awards Strategy
-
The Excellence Award for Military Industries Localization is a contributing tool in advancing the localization journey.
-
Strengthening and enhancing GAMI's relationship with its partners
-
National presence and competition for outstanding achievements
-
Motivating military and security agencies and companies operating in the sector
Awards Track
-
Excellence Track for Military and Security Entities in Planning.
-
Excellence Track for Military and Security Entities in Execution
-
Excellence Track for Companies Operating in the Military Sector
Entities that contributed to organizing the award
Expenditure & Projects Efficiency Authority
Ministry of Finance
Local Content and Government Procurement Authority
General Authority for Defense Development
Common Questions
What is the Excellence Award in Localizing Military Industries?
+
It is an annual award presented to military and security entities (the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of National Guard, Presidency of State Security, General Intelligence Presidency, Royal Guard Presidency), as well as to companies operating in the military industries sector, including service providers, manufacturers, and small and medium enterprises. The award recognizes their efforts and achievements in the field of localization.
Who organizes the Excellence Award in Localizing Military Industries in the Kingdom?
+
GAMI in Saudi Arabia is organizing the first edition of the award, in collaboration with supporting entities (the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority, Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, and the General Authority for Defense Development).
What are the strategic objectives linked to the award?
+
The award is one of the strategic initiatives of GAMI and serves as a tool to help achieve the strategic goal of the military industries sector in the Kingdom (localizing at least 50% of spending on military equipment). The award's sub-objectives are:
- Motivating military and security entities and companies in the sector to excel in achieving the sector's targets.
- Enhancing national competitiveness and recognizing outstanding achievements.
- Strengthening the Authority's relationship with its partners in the sector.
How is the award linked to the strategy of the General Authority for Military Industries?
+
The award is connected to the Authority's strategy and supports the achievement of its objectives through several pillars:
- Consolidating the Authority's relationship with its partners by enhancing cooperation with military and security entities.
- Monitoring the localization rate associated with military industry contracts.
- Measuring the percentage of spending on military goods and services directed to local companies.
- Developing local manufacturing and service capabilities by providing guidance and support to local companies.
- Increasing the attractiveness of the military industry through global promotion of the Saudi military industry.
- Enhancing the status of the Saudi military industries sector through national presence and highlighting achievements.
What are the target groups for the award?
+- Category 1: Military and security entities.
- Category 2: Companies operating in the military industries sector.
What are the award tracks?
+- Track 1: Excellence of Military and Security Entities in Planning.
- Track 2: Excellence of Military and Security Entities in Implementation.
- Track 3: Excellence of Entities Operating in the Military Sector.
What are the categories of companies operating in the military industries sector?
+
The award targets companies operating in the military industries sector, including the following:
- Manufacturing companies.
- Service provider companies.
- Small and medium enterprises.
What is the nature of the awards?
+
The awards are honorary and motivational, including: commemorative shields, certificates of appreciation, and media coverage of the achievements.
What is the geographical scope of the award?
+
The award is limited to entities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
What is the difference between the Innovation Award for Military Industries and the Excellence Award in Localizing Military Industries?
+- Innovation Award: Launched in May 2023, with winners honored in February 2024 at the World Defense Show. It is currently organized by the General Authority for Defense Development.
- Excellence Award: The Excellence Award in Localizing Military Industries is being held for the first time in 2025, with winners honored during November at the annual meeting of the military industries sector.
What is the organizational structure of the award?
+
The award's organizational structure consists of a steering committee, a judging committee, a media committee, and an operational team. It is managed by GAMI with the participation of several supporting government entities.
What are the stages of the award cycle?
+
The award cycle goes through four main stages, with detailed activities in between:
- Stage 1: Study and Analysis.
- Stage 2: Evaluation and Judging.
- Stage 3: Nomination and Selection.
- Stage 4: Announcement of Winners and Ceremony.
What are the judging criteria for the award?
+
The judging criteria for each award track include:
- Excellence of military and security entities in planning: Equipment plan criterion and five-year plan criterion.
- Excellence of military and security entities in execution: Military industry localization criterion and industrial participation criterion.
- Excellence of companies operating in the sector: Local content criterion, military spending localization criterion, and performance criterion.
How can entities apply for the award?
+
The Excellence Award in Localizing Military Industries is an honorary award granted directly by the organizing authority. There is no need to apply through any platform or submit any requirements. The evaluation process relies entirely on GAMI’s available database and information from relevant entities.
When did GAMI announce the launch of the award?
+
The first edition of the award will be announced during GAMI’s annual ceremony (date to be determined later).
When will the winning entities be announced?
+
The winners of the Excellence Award in Localizing Military Industries will be announced and honored during the annual Military Industries Sector Meeting on November 10, 2025.
Can entities reapply for the award in future years?
+
Yes. The award is held annually, and evaluation criteria are applied separately to each year’s data for participating entities and companies.
Will reports on the award results be published?
+
Yes. GAMI will issue an annual report highlighting the most notable best practices and winning entities, contributing to knowledge sharing and experience exchange within the sector.
How can the award’s dedicated webpage be accessed?
+
The award’s webpage can be accessed through the following link (to be added later).
Are there guidelines for the winners' use of the award's logo or visual identity?
+
Yes, the winning entity/company must adhere to using the correct brand identity provided by GAMI and comply with the specified usage guidelines for the designated time period.
Where can inquiries related to the award be sent?
+
For more information and inquiries, you can contact us via the award's email: LAMI@gami.gov.sa
General regulations governing the award
- Winners are selected by specialized committees formed by the GAMI comprising highly qualified experts and members from relevant fields.
- The selection process is based on a set of approved criteria, including but not limited to: level of achievement, economic impact, compliance, and contribution to strategic objectives.
- No formal applications or nominations are required from government agencies or companies. Candidates are selected directly based on relevant databases. GAMI reserves the right to gather necessary information and data from other sources it deems appropriate to support the evaluation process.
- GAMI has full discretion to:
- Modify, cancel, or postpone the award or any of its stages as operational needs require.
- Withhold the award from any entity if the specialized committees determine that the approved criteria have not been met.
- Make all final decisions regarding the award.
- The specialized committees are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of information accessed during the evaluation process and will use it solely for award-related purposes.
- GAMI reserves the right to use the name and logo of winning entities, along with related information—such as announcing achievements—in all its media and promotional materials, whether during the award ceremony or through other communication channels.
- Winning entities may use the award logo and the category in which they won in their publications, official channels, and advertisements, provided they use the official name of the award and its categories. This usage is permitted only from the date the award is granted until the next award cycle is held.
- All entities and companies are expected to uphold the reputation of the award and the organizing authority.
- Winning entities may not transfer the award to another party, attribute it to others, exchange it for a cash amount, or request any alternative form of recognition.
- All award procedures and activities, including information collection and communication with government agencies and companies, are conducted exclusively through the official channels approved by GAMI. Dealing with any unauthorized entity or party is strongly discouraged to avoid fraud or exploitation.
- GAMI reserves the right to interpret and amend these regulations at any time, as deemed necessary, without prior notice.
Sector Figures
The Forum supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including the localization of more than 50% of military spending by 2030, while showcasing the sector's key achievements, strengthening partnerships, and facilitating the exchange of expertise.
Towards localizing more than 50% of military spending by 2030
Share your opinion and help us improve.
0 Visitors Said Yes from 0