RIYADH, SA / ACCESS Newswire / November 17, 2025 / SR2 Defense Systems, a newly launched U.S.-Saudi defense technology and manufacturing joint venture, today announced its official establishment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The groundbreaking new company, the first of its kind in the private sector, brings cutting-edge advanced U.S. defense technology systems and companies to Saudi Arabia to localize and manufacture in-Kingdom, directly boosting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and its national objective of localizing 50% of defense expenditures by 2030.

The joint venture is co-founded by Idris Al-Zakari, Chief Executive Officer of Science Technology for Investment and Industrial Development ("Science Technology"), and Lucien Zeigler, Managing Partner of U.S.-based REDSALT Defense.

SR2 Defense Systems leverages the market-leading defense manufacturing capabilities and factories of Riyadh-based Science Technology to strengthen Saudi Arabia's current and future security needs with locally produced systems and defense technologies. SR2 will create hundreds of high-skilled jobs in Saudi Arabia for Saudis, and provide direct impact toward Vision 2030 by contributing to the establishment of a resilient, future-ready national defense workforce, cultivating the technical expertise and human capital necessary to sustain the Kingdom's defense industrial base for generations.

The company launches with a senior leadership team combining Saudi and American executives with commercial, venture capital and military expertise. The founding team includes Ahmed Nasrallah, Chief Investment Officer at Science Technology, and Colonel (U.S. Army, ret.) Brad Gandy, former Chief of the U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia. Together, they bring decades of operational, technical, management, and investment experience supporting the development and deployment of advanced systems in the Kingdom.

Idris Alzakari said: "On the eve of HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's historic visit to the United States, we are proud to launch our joint venture demonstrating what is possible when Saudi and American partners build on our long history of collaboration and friendship. SR2 is an innovative private sector collaboration that is the result of the Kingdom's transformation and its goals of developing national industrial capabilities, and we're ready to support the security and resiliency of Saudi Arabia today and in the future."

Lucien Zeigler said: "SR2 represents the exponential power of world-leading technology and best-in-market execution. Through this groundbreaking partnership, our vision today is one that delivers Saudi made systems to secure the Kingdom. Our vision for tomorrow is the transformation of Saudi Arabia into a global leader in defense research, innovation, and technology."

For more information, visit SR2defense.com

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SOURCE: SR2 Defense Systems