Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion
Saudi Arabia’s purchase of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles was confirmed in October 2024. (Photo: Raytheon)
The new figure is an increase from US$75.8 billion in 2024 and showcases the country’s focus on its Saudi Vision 2030 to achieve a diversified and sustainable economy, reducing the Kingdom’s dependency on oil.
The Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmad Al-Ohali, confirmed that Saudi Arabia’s defence budget would increase to US$78 billion, up from a reportedly $75.8 billion in 2024.
Speaking at the 25th Global Defense and Aerospace Industry Strategies Conference in Antalya, Turkey, last week, Al-Ohali said that this budget would constitute roughly 21% of total government spend for the year and 7.1% of its GDP.
Al-Ohali noted 74 opportunities within the supply chains for military industries, according to a comprehensive study of the Saudi market. In addition, 30 priority investment opportunities had been classified – around 80%
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