RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is launching a new national military academy to address the skills gap in the industry, a top official told a conference in Riyadh. 

The academy is part of a new strategy to create more jobs for Saudis, and strengthen the national military and defense industry, according to the governor of the General Authority for Military Industries.

The authority, known as GAMI, aims to empower Saudi workforces through the development of training programs, and establishing a national academy that focuses on more than 800 skills required in the sector, from which 172 job fields emerge, Ahmad Al-Ohali said.

The move aims to achieve the vision’s target of localizing 50 percent of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030.

GAMI launched the manpower strategy on Feb 5, in Riyadh, in the presence of ministries and high officials from the public and private sectors.

“It is based on the strategy for localizing industries and research in the military industry sector to ensure the readiness and sustainability of people eligible to achieve the objectives of the sector localization,” the GAMI governor said.

Three dialogue sessions were held during the event of the launch of the manpower strategy for the military and defense industry sector in the Kingdom with the participation of ministers, senior officials, and specialists of human resources.

Several MoUs were signed on the sidelines of the event, including regarding the development and empowerment of human capital in the military and defense industry between the Ministry of Investment, GAMI, and UK-based Cranfield University.