Saudi Arabia Advances Aerospace Defense Manufacturing with Localized 3D Printing Partnership

Saudi Arabia is accelerating its drive for defense industrial localization with a strategic partnership between local defense manufacturer WAHAJ and UAE-based additive manufacturing firm ADDDAM. The collaboration aims to establish a domestic capability for metal 3D printing tailored to aerospace and defense applications—aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of self-reliance and technology transfer.

WAHAJ and ADDDAM Partner to Localize Advanced Additive Manufacturing

On May 28, 2024, Saudi Specialized Products Company (WAHAJ), a subsidiary of the state-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UAE-based ADDDAM Advanced Manufacturing. The agreement focuses on deploying localized metal additive manufacturing capabilities within the Kingdom to support the aerodefense sector.

WAHAJ brings experience in precision engineering and component production for missiles, munitions, and aerospace systems. ADDDAM specializes in direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and other powder bed fusion technologies optimized for high-performance applications. The partnership will enable knowledge transfer in design-for-additive-manufacturing (DfAM), materials science, quality control standards such as AS9100D/NADCAP compliance, and post-processing techniques critical for aerospace-grade parts.

The initial scope includes establishing an industrial-scale metal AM facility inside Saudi Arabia capable of producing flight-critical components using titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V), Inconel superalloys (e.g., IN718), and stainless steels. These materials are essential for jet engine parts, structural brackets, heat exchangers, UAV airframes, missile fins, and more.

Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030 Defense Localization Goals

The WAHAJ–ADDDAM initiative directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objective of localizing over 50% of military procurement by the end of the decade. The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) has prioritized additive manufacturing as a key enabler of sovereign capability development across air platforms, missiles & munitions, ISR systems, and maintenance repair overhaul (MRO).

By reducing reliance on foreign suppliers for complex metallic components—many of which have long lead times or export restrictions—the Kingdom seeks to enhance readiness while nurturing a domestic MilTech ecosystem. AM also supports agile prototyping cycles critical for indigenous UAVs/UCAVs like the SkyGuard or Saqr series under development by KACST/SAMI.

Moreover, localized AM reduces logistics burdens during sustainment operations in remote bases or contested environments—a growing concern given regional tensions across the Red Sea littoral and Gulf airspace.

Technical Focus Areas: Materials Qualification and Flight-Critical Certification

A core challenge in deploying AM at scale within defense aviation is achieving repeatable quality assurance that meets flight safety standards. The WAHAJ–ADDDAM venture is expected to invest heavily in:

• Powder characterization labs: Ensuring batch consistency in particle size distribution, flowability, contamination control.
• Nondestructive testing (NDT): Including CT scanning and ultrasonic inspection for internal porosity detection.
• Mechanical testing: Fatigue life validation under thermal cycling conditions typical of turbine environments.

The partners are reportedly targeting AS9100D certification within two years—a prerequisite for supplying parts into commercial or military aircraft programs. NADCAP accreditation will also be pursued to qualify heat treatment processes post-printing.

This level of rigor suggests that beyond prototyping or tooling applications common in early-stage AM adoption phases globally, Saudi Arabia intends to position itself as an exporter of certified flight hardware over time—potentially serving regional OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers like EDGE Group or Turkish Aerospace Industries.

Regional Implications: GCC Collaboration on Defense Industrial Base

This cross-border partnership also reflects growing intra-GCC cooperation on defense industrialization. While UAE-headquartered ADDDAM provides technical expertise from its operations in Abu Dhabi’s Tawazun Industrial Park—a hub hosting EDGE Group subsidiaries—the technology transfer into Saudi territory underscores Riyadh’s intent not just to buy but build capability locally.

The move complements similar initiatives such as:

• SAMI’s joint ventures with Lockheed Martin (for THAAD components) and Navantia (naval combat systems).
• The establishment of SRB Co., a missile propulsion JV between SAMI and Hanwha Aerospace Korea.

If successful operationally and commercially, this model could be mirrored across other domains such as land vehicle armor fabrication via wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) or polymer FDM printing for drone payload housings—areas where both countries have overlapping interests but differing capacities today.

Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem Maturing Across MENA Region

The WAHAJ–ADDDAM deal is part of a broader trend toward maturing additive manufacturing ecosystems across the Middle East & North Africa region:

• Egypt: Investing in polymer AM via military-affiliated research institutes like AOI’s Technology Center.
• Tunisia/Morocco: Hosting EU-funded dual-use AM R&D programs through universities with aerospace ties.

This regional momentum aligns with global trends where militaries increasingly view AM as not just an R&D tool but an operational enabler—from U.S. DoD’s expeditionary print cells deployed aboard Navy ships to Ukraine’s field-printed drone parts under battlefield conditions.

Outlook: From Prototyping Toward Production Readiness

The success metrics for this partnership will hinge on how quickly it can move from sample part production toward serial manufacturing under qualified processes. Key milestones expected over the next two years include:

• Pilot production runs by Q1–Q2 2025 using Inconel alloys targeting UAV engine mounts or missile substructures;
• Civil aviation certification pathway initiated by late-2025 leveraging AS9100/NADCAP audits;
• Sustainment support contracts from RSAF or MODA logistics branches starting FY2026;

If these targets are met—and if downstream integration into SAMI platforms occurs—the project could serve as a model not only within Saudi Arabia but across emerging markets seeking rapid capability uplift without full-scale legacy industrial infrastructure investment.