HENSOLDT South Africa’s GEW business unit has entered into a substantial contract with SAMI Advanced Electronics Company. Finalized on September 3, 2025, this multi-year arrangement ranks among the most extensive undertakings in GEW’s portfolio, focusing on delivering advanced electronic warfare systems to bolster Saudi operations. The deal encompasses the supply of cutting-edge communications intelligence tools, integrated into the Kingdom’s command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence framework, alongside robust training initiatives to ensure effective deployment.
Electronic warfare, often abbreviated as EW, plays a central role in contemporary military strategies by managing the electromagnetic spectrum to detect, disrupt, or deceive adversary signals. In an era where conflicts increasingly involve cyber and electronic domains, such capabilities allow forces to gain an edge through superior situational awareness. GEW, specialising in spectrum dominance, brings decades of experience to this partnership; its systems enable the interception and analysis of radio frequencies, helping operators identify threats in real time. For Saudi Arabia, this means enhanced protection for both military assets and civilian infrastructure, from border patrols to urban security operations. The communications intelligence component, or COMINT, forms a core part of the delivery. COMINT involves capturing and processing enemy transmissions, such as voice or data links, to extract actionable insights. Modern systems like those from GEW employ sophisticated algorithms and antennas to scan wide frequency bands, locating signal sources with precision even in cluttered environments. This technology not only supports defensive measures but also aids in offensive planning by revealing opponent movements or intentions.
The contract aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for economic transformation and reduced oil dependency. A key pillar of this vision involves localising defence production and building indigenous skills, aims that the deal directly advances through knowledge sharing and capacity building. By incorporating training programs, the initiative ensures Saudi personnel can operate, maintain, and potentially innovate on these systems, fostering a self-reliant defence sector. HENSOLDT Middle East, a fully owned subsidiary of HENSOLDT South Africa, will provide on-site technical assistance, drawing on its established presence in the region to facilitate smooth implementation. This entity has grown over the years to serve local needs, emphasising technology transfer that empowers host nations.
Gilbert do Nascimento, Managing Director of GEW, emphasised the strategic value of the agreement: “Electronic warfare grows ever more essential in today’s interconnected world. This contract affirms our established expertise in the field and dedicates us to furnishing our allies with top-tier tools. We cherish our collaboration with SAMI and anticipate aiding Saudi Arabia in fortifying its defence posture and broader goals.” His remarks reflect a shared commitment to long-term progress, where technical prowess meets national development priorities.
HENSOLDT South Africa has cultivated a strong footprint in the Middle East since 2007, supplying systems tailored to arid and high-threat settings. As the HENSOLDT Group’s primary hub beyond Germany, it employs about 800 staff across four South African locations, producing solutions in EW, optronics, radar, identification friend or foe, data links, and spectrum monitoring. The company’s heritage spans over half a century, rooted in innovative designs that address real-world challenges, such as countering improvised explosive devices or managing crowded airwaves. GEW, in particular, excels in land-based EW, offering modular platforms that integrate seamlessly with existing networks for comprehensive spectrum control.
On the Saudi side, SAMI Advanced Electronics Company stands as a cornerstone of the nation’s tech ecosystem. Founded in 1988, it has evolved into a provider of solutions in defence, aerospace, energy, and security, with a workforce surpassing 3,650, including a high proportion of Saudi nationals and over 1,500 engineers. This emphasis on local talent mirrors Vision 2030’s push for a knowledge-driven economy, where innovation replaces resource extraction as a growth engine. SAMI-AEC’s involvement in the deal underscores its role in bridging international know-how with domestic needs, ensuring that imported technologies evolve into homegrown strengths.
The partnership builds on prior interactions between the firms, including discussions on defence electronics cooperation as early as August 2025. For Saudi Arabia, the world’s fastest-expanding major economy, such collaborations are vital to maintaining regional stability amid geopolitical tensions. The Kingdom faces diverse threats, from asymmetric insurgencies to state-level rivalries, making EW a priority for safeguarding borders, oil facilities, and population centres. By investing in these capabilities, Riyadh not only elevates its military readiness but also contributes to civil safety, such as through spectrum monitoring that prevents interference in communications networks.
Broader regional dynamics add context to the agreement. The Middle East’s defence market, valued in the hundreds of billions, sees increasing diversification as countries seek alternatives to traditional suppliers. South African firms like HENSOLDT bring cost-effective, adaptable options that avoid the political constraints sometimes tied to Western or Eastern providers. This deal could pave the way for further joint ventures, potentially extending to radar or optronics, as both parties explore synergies.
In practical terms, the project’s rollout will involve phased deliveries, starting with system integration and followed by operational training. Saudi operators will learn to deploy sensors in field conditions, interpreting data to inform decisions swiftly. Such hands-on education goes beyond basic usage, encompassing troubleshooting and upgrades, which in turn supports local job creation in engineering and maintenance roles.
As global conflicts highlight the electromagnetic domain’s decisiveness—from jamming drones to spoofing GPS—deals like this equip nations to stay ahead. For HENSOLDT South Africa, it reinforces its status as an African leader in defence electronics, exporting solutions to over 40 countries while nurturing continental innovation. Meanwhile, SAMI-AEC’s growth trajectory positions it as a model for emerging markets aiming to localise high-tech industries.
