By Joshua Kirby

Leonardo SpA has signed an agreement with Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries under which the Saudi company will aim to become a maintenance-services provider for Leonardo aircraft in the country.

The Italian defense company said over the weekend that Saudia will enter a qualification process to be recognized as an authorized Leonardo services center in Saudi Arabia for the AW139 model of helicopters, delivering basic maintenance. The memorandum of understanding also includes the addition of AW169 helicopters and AW609 planes to the company's fleet in the future, Leonardo said.

The two companies signed the MoU at the Dubai airshow, which began Sunday in the emirate. They didn't disclose any financial details of the deal.

Write to Joshua Kirby at joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby