Saudi SCOPA and Airbus agree to produce helicopters in the kingdom: SCOPA CEO

Saudi defence company SCOPA Industries and Airbus have signed an agreement to jointly produce civil and military helicopters in the kingdom, SCOPA CEO Fawaz Alakeel told Saudi state TV on Monday.

The deal was announced on the sidelines of a Saudi-French investment forum being held during a visit by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to France that started last week, Reuters reported.

Alakeel said the first helicopters produced at joint SCOPA and Airbus factories in Saudi Arabia would be seen within 24 months of next February’s World Defense Show, where he said the “foundation stone” for the project would be laid.

He added that SCOPA expects to manufacture more than 100 helicopters and create 8500 jobs in the kingdom.