Thales and Advanced Electronics Company set up joint venture company to manufacture simulators in Saudi Arabia

This partnership agreement include the design, development and manufacture of different types of simulators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to provide a training and full technical support, manpower and spare parts.

Dr. Ghassan A. Al-Shibl, President & CEO of Advanced Electronics Company stated, 'We are glad to sign this partnership agreement with Thales a world leading company. This partnership will provide AEC new capability to manufacture simulators in Saudi Arabia. This agreement will create local capabilities to fulfill the needs and requirement of the different military branches in Saudi Arabia. This agreement will also enhance the national capability and create job opportunities for Saudi nationals.'

Dr. Shibl also added, 'This is not the first time we work with Thales; we have cooperated on many successful projects. I admire the clear vision of Thales and their commitment to transfer high technology to Saudi Arabia and I would like to thank them for their effort to support and enhance Saudi Arabia's capabilities, especially in localizing and developing high technical systems.'

Mr. David-Claude Pichavet, VP Marketing & Sales Thales Security Solutions & Services Division said, 'We are proud to sign this strategic agreement with AEC which represent an ideal Saudi partner with high technical and quality standards. This agreement reflects Thales vision to transfer high technology to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to enhance the Saudi capability. This agreement is a continuation of many successful co-operations and a long relationship between Thales and AEC.'

AEC is one of the Saudi Economic Offset Program Companies, the objective of this program is to transfer technology to Saudi Arabia, create jobs and diversify the source of income. AEC has successfully obtained substantial technical capabilities for manufacturing and support of electronic products and systems with very high international standards. AEC is focusing in employing qualified Saudi national and they represent 80% of AEC's 624 workforce.

With operations in 50 countries and 68,000 employees, Thales is a world leader in Mission-critical information systems for the Aerospace, Defense and Security markets. Building on proven capabilities in large and complex software systems.

Thales steps up to the security challenges of its customers in an increasingly interconnected, technology-driven world. Civil and military systems benefit from many of the same technologies and innovations. Developing these dual technologies has been a long tradition for Thales, with its global network of 22,000 high-level researchers.