In the increasingly competitive landscape of the global defense industry, a Saudi Arabian firm, SCOPA Defense Industries, has managed to command attention while simultaneously enveloping itself in an aura of mystery. At the last two editions of the World Defense Show held outside Riyadh, SCOPA billboards dominated the highways, signaling an imposing presence. Yet, upon arriving at the event, visitors encountered a stark contrast: SCOPA was conspicuously absent, without a dedicated booth of its own, unlike the multitude of local and international competitors. An unusual strategy for an entity with colossal ambitions.
The Strategy Behind the Absence: Biding Its Time for a Grand Reveal
This discreet, almost invisible, presence is by no means an oversight, but a deliberate strategic decision, according to Walid Abu Khaled, chairman of SCOPA’s executive committee. The company has been in „semi-stealth mode,” reorienting itself and preparing to launch partnerships and defense platforms aimed at transforming it into one of the largest privately owned defense firms in the region.
„The reason there’s no participation this year is purely [because] when we want to have a place in World Defense Show, we want to showcase our own products that we manufactured in Saudi Arabia,” explained Abu Khaled, an industry veteran who previously served as CEO of the state-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). „I believe in the near future — when we’re talking 2028 onward — you will see that we will take a huge space with our own products that’s been either assembled in the Kingdom, manufactured in the Kingdom, designed by us in the Kingdom.” This vision reveals a company determined to build a strong identity based on innovation and local production, avoiding merely acting as an intermediary for other firms’ products.
From Trading to Manufacturing: The Ambitious Vision 2030
SCOPA has successfully operated as a trading entity and in security work, but its ambitions far exceed this role. With Saudi Arabia’s „Vision 2030” mandating the localization of 50 percent of defense production, SCOPA is transforming from a trader into a major manufacturer. The recent rebranding, the implementation of a state-of-the-art Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system tailored for defense and security industries, collaboration with top law firms for export control policies, and the recruitment of top talent are essential steps in this direction. This internal reconstruction underscores SCOPA’s serious approach to international compliance and national objectives.
Strategic Partnerships: A Deliberate Pivot Towards the West
Regarding international collaborations, SCOPA has made a clear and, according to Abu Khaled, a crucial „strategic decision.” „A company cannot work with both East and West. You have to make strategic decisions,” he emphasized. Thus, SCOPA is exclusively focusing on partnerships with NATO-aligned nations, including countries from North America, Singapore, and South Korea. This strategy aims at technology transfer, co-production, and localization, firmly rejecting any suggestion of a change in strategy or previous deal cancellations. „Absolutely not,” Abu Khaled responded, refuting rumors about collaborations with the „East.”
Redefining Modern Warfare: Opportunities for SCOPA
Regional tensions and the conflict in Ukraine have fundamentally redefined warfare scenarios, bringing new technologies and tactics to the forefront. Massive investments in multi-million dollar tanks become questionable in the face of effective kamikaze drones. In this context, SCOPA is directing its efforts toward key areas: cybersecurity, autonomous systems (land, sea, air, and subsea), swarm technology, and electronic warfare.
Beyond these innovations, Abu Khaled highlighted a significant market in Saudi Arabia for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services for existing equipment, both electronic and mechanical. SCOPA intends to address these customer needs, collaborating with multinational companies to deliver solutions tailored to the specific requirements of the Kingdom.
The Path to the Top: Ambition to Become a Regional Leader
When asked about the timeline for becoming the largest privately-owned defense company in the region, Walid Abu Khaled responded with realism but also confidence. „Realistically, specifically when it comes to defense, defense projects and procurements and building factories, you’re talking at least five years minimum from now,” he stated. SCOPA’s advantages lie in its ability to make quick decisions and the availability of capital for investments and growth.
The vision is clear: within five years, SCOPA aims to be one of the largest defense companies, and by 2035, the aspiration is to become the largest privately-owned defense company in the region. Immediate plans include building factories, finalizing agreements with multinational and local partners, and exploring acquisitions, both locally and globally. While the exact number of employees cannot yet be specified, forecasts indicate thousands of jobs created, with SCOPA intending to leverage existing capabilities in the Kingdom, subcontracting where necessary, but assuming a leadership role in developing new capabilities. SCOPA, a rising force, is paving its way to dominate the future of regional defense.
