John Lazar, vice president and general manager of international programs at US-based Oshkosh Defense, underlined the company’s commitment to localizing Saudi Arabia’s defense and security industries, noting that the Kingdom constituted an attractive investment environment for the transfer of technologies and industries in the sector.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Lazar pointed to agreements concluded by Oshkosh Defense to implement a number of Saudi programs in accordance with Vision 2030, in terms of knowledge transfer and localization of industries.
“The Kingdom has hosted our regional office since 1991, and we are ready to cooperate with the Saudi government in providing its needs for the defense sector equipment industries, just as we do with the US government,” Lazar said, emphasizing that the defense industry presented attractive investment opportunities with high economic returns.
His comments came on the sidelines of the World Defense Show, which is being held in Riyadh from March 6 - 9.
Oshkosh Defense is looking to strengthen its partnerships in the region through its presence in the Kingdom, Lazar said, revealing that the past years have witnessed the delivery of more than 7,500 military vehicles in the region, including a large number of vehicles to customers in Saudi Arabia.
The company will display its 4-door Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) at the exhibition, he said, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s position as an attractive market for global investments in the defense industries sector.
Moreover, Lazar noted that Oshkosh would also be participating in the World Defense Show’s Customer Experience Demonstration Program, which allows the company to provide demonstration rides in the JLTV to select military and security services.
