Saudi Arabia Produces Combat Drones after Turkey’s Tech Transfer

Saudi Arabia Produces Combat Drones after Turkey’s Tech Transfer

Saudi Arabia has commenced production of Haboob drone using technology shared by Turkey.

An image of Haboob armed with Roketsan’s MAM-L ammunition was shared by Advanced Electronics Company (AEC). The new drones are based on Karayel built by Turkish firm Vestel.

A contract for the manufacture and repair of those drones in Saudi was signed in November 2017.

Riyadh-based Infra Defense Technologies has previously advertised Karayel UAV.

Last year, on April 27, the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) approved for Infra Defense Technologies to build 6 drones in 2021, and 40 within a span of five years. The project is scheduled to begin operation during the first quarter of 2021, with an expected investment amounting to $200 million.

Another drone named Asef, built by Infra, is equipped with Roketsan MAM-L and MAM-C munitions. At the Dubai Airshow-2019, the platform was equipped with a Hensoldt Argos II EO/IR pod to provide day-and-night surveillance capabilities.

Another UAV designed by Ankara-based Esen Engineering company, which is stated to be produced in Saudi Arabia, is known to be equipped with MAM-L and MAM-C munitions.