Defense & Military
GE Aerospace and GAMI Sign Deal to Localize F-15 Engine MRO in Saudi Arabia
GE Aerospace and Saudi Arabia’s GAMI signed an agreement to localize maintenance and repair of F110-GE-129 engines powering F-15SA jets, advancing Vision 2030 goals.
This article is based on official press releases and announcements from GE Aerospace and GAMI released during the World Defense Show 2026.
On February 9, 2026, at the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh, GE Aerospace and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) formalized a significant expansion of Saudi Arabia’s domestic defense capabilities. The two entities signed a landmark Industrial Participation Agreement (IPA) aimed at localizing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of the F110-GE-129 engines, which power the Royal Saudi Air Force’s (RSAF) fleet of F-15SA aircraft.
According to the official announcement, this agreement represents a strategic shift from routine maintenance to advanced component repair and potential future manufacturing. The deal aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which mandates the localization of 50% of the Kingdom’s military spending by the end of the decade.
The collaboration involves two primary components signed at the event: the Industrial Participation Agreement (IPA) and a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). While GAMI acts as the regulatory signatory, the Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC) has been identified as the key industrial partner responsible for executing the work.
Under the terms of the IPA, GE Aerospace will transfer specific “know-how” and specialized equipment to local entities. This transfer is designed to enhance repair capabilities for the F110 engine, moving beyond simple module replacement to complex structural integrity programs. The MoU outlines a “manufacturing roadmap” that aims to eventually enable the production of specific engine parts within the Kingdom.
In a statement regarding the partnership, Nawaf Albawardi, Deputy Governor for Localization at GAMI, highlighted the long-term goals of the agreement:
“The Memorandum of Understanding will contribute to strengthening GAMI’s ongoing efforts to localize and develop the military industries sector… to acquire the knowledge required in specialized processes and the international certifications necessary to develop engine parts manufacturing capabilities.”
According to data released regarding the agreement, the localization process will occur in three distinct phases:
The hardware at the center of this agreement is critical to Saudi Arabia’s air superiority. The F110-GE-129 engine powers the Boeing F-15SA (Saudi Advanced), which serves as the backbone of the RSAF fleet. The RSAF is currently the largest international operator of F110 engines outside of the United States.
Technical specifications provided by GE Aerospace indicate that the F110-GE-129 offers 29,000 lbs of thrust. Globally, this engine architecture powers over 70% of the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 fleet. The new agreement specifically supports the “Engine Structural Integrity Program” (ENSIP), a critical maintenance protocol required to extend the operational service life of these engines for decades. Analysis: This agreement marks a pivotal moment in the maturation of Saudi Arabia’s defense industrial base. Historically, the Kingdom has relied on foreign depots for “deep” maintenance and overhaul, specifically regarding hot-section components and complex metallurgy. By securing the transfer of specialized tooling and processes (such as balancing and non-destructive testing) to the Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC), Saudi Arabia is effectively shortening its logistics tail.
From a strategic perspective, this reduces the RSAF’s dependency on external supply chains for its most critical fighter assets. If fully realized, Phase 3 of this agreement would transition Saudi Arabia from a consumer of defense technology to a licensed manufacturer of high-tolerance aerospace components, a difficult barrier to entry that few nations cross.
The partnership builds upon a relationship spanning more than 40 years. In 2012, the RSAF ordered 193 F110 engines to power 84 new F-15SA aircraft, cementing its status as a major export customer. The current deal is framed by GAMI as a direct contributor to the national economic diversification strategy.
Salim Mousallam, VP of Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace, emphasized the workforce development aspect of the deal:
“Our relationship with GAMI demonstrates GE Aerospace’s commitment to localizing advanced strategic industries within the Kingdom and cultivating a highly qualified national workforce… This collaboration to share knowledge on engine manufacturing and sustainment goes beyond technology transfer.”
By shifting high-value repair work to local entities like MEPC, the Kingdom aims to retain capital within its borders and create high-tech employment opportunities for Saudi nationals, directly supporting the Vision 2030 objective of 50% defense localization.
GE Aerospace and Saudi Arabia’s GAMI Sign Major Localization Deal for F-15 Engine MRO
Scope of the Agreement
Phased Implementation
Technical Context: The F110-GE-129
AirPro News Analysis
Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030
Sources
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