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.