Riyadh | BETH – Feb 11, 2026

SAMI Land Systems, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) — a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company — unveiled the HEET wheeled armored vehicles program during the third edition of the World Defense Show 2026. The project is developed under a fully Saudi-owned intellectual property and design framework, and is 100% manufactured in the Kingdom by Saudi hands, enhancing the operational readiness of the armed forces and strengthening national industrial capabilities.

Production will take place at the SAMI Land Systems Industrial Complex, the largest integrated facility of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, spanning 82,000 sqm within a broader one-million-sqm industrial zone. The complex operates with Industry 4.0 technologies, leveraging AI, IoT, and industrial robotics to boost efficiency and meet the highest global quality standards.

The complex serves as a strategic pillar for building an advanced national manufacturing base for land defense platforms, a hub for localization, technology transfer, and training. It is expected to create over 1,000 high-quality jobs for Saudis, with an annual manufacturing, testing, and MRO capacity of up to 1,500 military vehicles.

The HEET program covers multiple wheeled armored configurations (4×4, 6×6, and 8×8), offering high mobility across diverse terrains, advanced armor systems, modular multi-mission design, and integrated command-and-control systems. The platform supports manned and unmanned weapon systems, including integration with the “Ru’ya” 12.7 mm remote weapon station with day/night targeting, and is designed to accommodate a 105 mm turret to provide direct fire support based on operational requirements.

SAMI Land Systems CEO Mohammed Al-Hadib said the HEET launch marks a strategic milestone in consolidating a fully integrated national defense and security industry, built on Saudi engineering capabilities across design, development, and manufacturing. The program supports border security, reconnaissance, rapid response, and land operations, elevating force readiness to world-class standards.

BETH Comment | Strategic Read

The launch of HEET signals more than a new armored platform; it marks a structural shift toward defense industrial sovereignty. Saudi Arabia is moving from assembly to full-spectrum capability — design, IP ownership, manufacturing, and sustainment — strengthening operational independence, supply-chain resilience, and strategic flexibility. This milestone aligns with Vision 2030 objectives to localize military industries and build a sustainable, high-value defense manufacturing ecosystem capable of competing globally.