Burkhan World Investments Inks $15 Billion in Strategic MoUs with Saudi Arabia to Boost Mining, AI, and Dual-Use Defense Innovation
Burkhan World Investments (BWI), a prominent global investment platform based in the United States with operational hubs in Abu Dhabi and Miami, has announced the signing of three landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading Saudi Arabian entities. The agreements, totaling an estimated USD $15 billion in new investment commitments, were unveiled during the USA-Saudi Strategic Investment Forum in Riyadh.
The MoUs were signed as part of President Donald J. Trump’s official delegation, reflecting a deepening economic partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. The collaboration spans across three high-impact sectors—mining and critical minerals, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, and dual-purpose defense technologies—strategically aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
This milestone not only underscores Burkhan’s role in fostering cross-border investments but also highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation into a global hub for innovation, industrial advancement, and diversified economic growth.
1. $9 Billion MoU in Mining & Critical Minerals: Burkhan and Grand Mines Mining LLC
The first and most substantial agreement in the MoU portfolio is a $9 billion partnership with Grand Mines Mining LLC. This collaboration aims to establish a major new Mining Investment and Operations Company headquartered in Saudi Arabia.
The primary focus of this new entity will be the exploration, development, processing, and global export of critical minerals, particularly lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. These materials are essential for modern manufacturing, energy storage systems, renewable energy infrastructure, and electric vehicles.
To ensure competitive advantage and operational efficiency, the initiative will incorporate state-of-the-art technologies in mineral extraction and refinement. The company is poised to become a pivotal supplier of processed critical minerals to the U.S. and allied nations, thereby strengthening global supply chains and reducing dependency on non-aligned sources.
Beyond resource development, the project will catalyze both local and international investment through Saudi Arabia’s capital markets. It reinforces the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global hub for mineral wealth and strategic resource distribution. By tapping into its vast but underutilized natural reserves, Saudi Arabia is accelerating its path toward economic diversification, industrial modernization, and job creation under the Vision 2030 framework.
2. $1 Billion AI & Semiconductor Innovation Platform: Partnership with Watad Digital
The second MoU, valued at $1 billion, was formalized with Watad Digital, a Saudi technology firm known for its work in emerging digital technologies. This partnership will result in the creation of a comprehensive AI and Semiconductor Investment Platform and Innovation Hub in the Kingdom.
The initiative’s overarching goal is to develop foundational technologies in artificial intelligence, semiconductor chip design, and high-performance computing. In addition to commercializing AI solutions, the platform will serve as an incubation ground for local startups, promote regional and global R&D collaborations, and support the domestic manufacturing of advanced semiconductor components.
Saudi Arabia has identified digital transformation as a key pillar of Vision 2030. This new platform will directly support those ambitions by nurturing a new generation of tech talent and building up sovereign capabilities in AI and semiconductors—two of the most strategically vital sectors in the global digital economy.
By positioning itself at the intersection of innovation and manufacturing, Saudi Arabia aims to play a central role in the future of digital infrastructure, not just regionally but globally. The initiative also reflects broader efforts by the Kingdom to reduce reliance on imported technologies and foster homegrown innovation.
3. $5 Billion Dual-Purpose Defense Technologies MoU: Launch of BWI Nexus with Advanced Aircraft Technology
The third agreement—also highly significant in terms of national security and technological advancement—was signed with Advanced Aircraft Technology (AAT) and other global private-sector partners. Valued at $5 billion, the MoU establishes BWI Nexus, a new Dual-Purpose Defense Innovation Fund and Integrated Innovation Hub.
This initiative aims to co-invest in advanced defense-related technologies that have both military and civilian applications. The focus areas include AI-enabled defense systems, autonomous platforms, advanced sensors, space technologies, cybersecurity, and new materials designed for next-generation warfare and commercial use.
The accompanying Innovation Hub is set to support over 320 deep tech companies from both Saudi Arabia and abroad. These firms will benefit from access to high-end physical infrastructure, support services, and entry into regional and global markets. The hub is designed to help startups and scaleups localize their operations, develop export-ready innovations, and grow within an ecosystem centered in the Kingdom.
In addition to enhancing the domestic defense industry, this initiative helps advance Vision 2030’s national objectives, including the creation of sovereign defense capabilities, stimulation of private sector-led innovation, and significant reduction in dependence on foreign defense imports.
This move also positions Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global defense innovation space while providing a powerful example of dual-use technology development—where civilian applications of defense R&D can generate broader economic benefits.
Building an Ecosystem for Long-Term Strategic Impact
Together, these three Memoranda of Understanding represent more than just capital commitments—they serve as long-term platforms for industrial development, strategic technology transfer, and regional innovation.
Commenting on the announcement, Shahal Khan, Founder and CEO of Burkhan World Investments, stated:
“Burkhan is honored to contribute to the next chapter of Saudi-U.S. economic cooperation. These memoranda are more than investments — they are long-term platforms that support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 while aligning U.S. technological strength with regional growth priorities. We believe in building cross-border ecosystems that drive security, innovation, and prosperity for all stakeholders.”
Burkhan’s approach combines capital deployment with active partnership building across key sectors of strategic importance. By facilitating this tripartite investment commitment, the firm is helping build foundational industries that not only benefit the economies of Saudi Arabia and the United States but also reinforce their shared geopolitical and economic interests.
Supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and Beyond
Vision 2030, launched under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is Saudi Arabia’s bold roadmap to diversify its economy beyond oil and build a sustainable, knowledge-based society. It emphasizes private sector growth, technological development, industrialization, and international investment.
The partnerships announced by Burkhan World Investments are directly aligned with these goals. Each initiative—whether in mining, semiconductors, or dual-use defense—supports the creation of new industries, enhances workforce capabilities, and attracts global players to invest and operate in the Kingdom.
Moreover, the agreements represent a strengthening of U.S.-Saudi economic ties at a time when both nations are increasingly focused on supply chain security, innovation leadership, and regional stability. The investments will create new avenues for bilateral cooperation, accelerate technological exchange, and support job creation across both economies.
A Strategic Shift in Global Investment Dynamics
By channeling billions into high-impact sectors and building cross-border innovation hubs, Burkhan World Investments is emerging as a catalyst for strategic economic realignment in the Middle East. These MoUs are just the beginning of a wider push to connect capital with emerging opportunities in markets undergoing rapid transformation.
As global supply chains become more regionalized and nations prioritize technological self-sufficiency, initiatives like these signal a new era of geopolitical investment—one where defense, critical minerals, and digital infrastructure are the linchpins of both economic growth and national security.
With this $15 billion commitment to Saudi Arabia, Burkhan World Investments is helping chart a course for the future—where innovation, security, and global cooperation go hand in hand.
