“HEET Armored Vehicles: Pioneering a New Era of Saudi Arabia’s Defense Independence”
SAMI Land Company, part of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and a Public Investment Fund (PIF) initiative, has unveiled the HEET Program at the third edition of the World Defense Show 2026. This innovative program introduces a new generation of advanced wheeled armored vehicles, designed and manufactured entirely within the Kingdom, showcasing full Saudi intellectual property and local talent. This initiative marks a significant advancement in operational readiness and bolstering national defense capabilities.
The vehicles will be produced at the SAMI Land Industrial Complex, the largest integrated facility of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. Covering 82,000 square meters within a larger industrial zone of one million square meters, the complex operates under Industry 4.0 standards. It utilizes artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and sophisticated robotics to enhance efficiency, precision, and production quality, adhering to the highest global standards.
As a strategic cornerstone of the Kingdom’s land-systems manufacturing base, this complex will serve as a national hub for local production, technology transfer, and workforce development. It is projected to generate over 1,000 high-quality jobs for Saudis and will function as a center of excellence for the manufacture, testing, and lifecycle support of both wheeled and tracked armored vehicles and turrets. With a potential annual production capacity of up to 1,500 military vehicles, this initiative underscores not only supply chain resilience but also enhances defense industrial readiness on a grand scale.
The launch of the HEET Program is a pivotal step towards enhancing defense localization, fostering operational independence, and further developing national military-industrial capabilities. It signifies the Kingdom’s move towards greater engineering ownership, advanced systems integration, and domestic manufacturing in the defense sector.
Developed by a team of Saudi engineers and specialists, the program operates within an advanced industrial setting that reflects the maturity of national capabilities, poised to deliver long-term, strategically vital defense initiatives.
The HEET product line features advanced wheeled armored vehicles in 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 configurations, meticulously engineered for ground operations. These vehicles are tailored to assist in border protection, reconnaissance, rapid response, and field operations. They boast high ballistic protection, superior mobility, a modular design, and advanced systems integration, ultimately offering reduced lifecycle costs compared to both global and domestic competitors.
Designed for swift deployment across varied terrains—urban settings, deserts, and off-road environments—these platforms are equipped with integrated command-and-control systems and can be configured for manned or unmanned operations, ensuring versatility for diverse mission profiles.
The program also includes the integration of the ROAYA Remote Turret 12.7mm, which features high-accuracy day and night targeting systems while providing full crew protection. Furthermore, the design accommodates a 105 mm turret, delivering direct fire support capabilities based on specific operational needs.
Eng. Mohammed Al Hodaib, CEO of SAMI Land Company, stated: “The launch of the HEET Program signifies a decisive advancement in establishing an integrated national defense and security industry, rooted in Saudi expertise. This program is tailored to support border protection, reconnaissance, rapid response, and land operations, effectively meeting the evolving demands of our military and security forces while enhancing Armed Forces readiness to align with the highest global standards. HEET represents our confidence in Saudi capabilities and a strong commitment to building a sustainable sovereign capacity, strengthening local supply chains, and progressing the goals of Vision 2030.”
Through the HEET Program, SAMI is committed to shaping a resilient national defense ecosystem by accelerating localization efforts, enhancing sovereign industrial capacity, and positioning the Kingdom as a burgeoning regional hub for advanced defense manufacturing.
