RIYADH- During his visit to Seattle in the United States, Saudi Arabia’sCrown Prince Mohammed bin Salman browsed the latest technologicaladvancements in aviation, air defense, missile technology and satellitecommunications at Lockheed Martin, the aerospace and defense company’sheadquarters.

Mohammed bin Salman also looked into the THAAD high-tech air defensesystem. Saudi Arabia is looking to purchase THAAD and localize itsproduction.

Lockheed Martin expressed plans to establish a research and developmentcenter in the kingdom in cooperation with the King Abdullah University ofScience and Technology (KAUST).

At the headquarters, there was a display of the command, control andcommunication system which will be relocated and localized in Saudi Arabia.

The crown prince also looked into satellites currently under constructionfor the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and Arabsat. TheSaudi-owned satellites are considered to be the first of their kind, andthe most efficient and accurate.

The high-tech capabilities of the satellites will enhance the kingdom’scapabilities in space technology.

The first Saudi satellite is set to provide high-capacity and advancedKa-Band capabilities. It will also provide military, security and civilsectors with a secure satellite network for visual, telephone and internetcommunications.

The satellite’s frequency will extend to the Middle East, Africa andEurope. It is expected that the satellites will be delivered by the end ofthis year.

At the end of his visit, the crown prince signed the final piece to beplaced on the Saudi satellite before its launch with the words “above theclouds.”