L3Harris JV, Zamil Shipyards Sign Deal to Develop First Saudi-Made Unmanned Vessel

L3Harris Technologies has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between its SAMI-L3Harris Joint Venture (JV) and Saudi Arabia-based Zamil Shipyards to advance the development of autonomous maritime technologies.

The agreement, announced as part of Saudi Arabia’s push to localize defense capabilities, focuses on incorporating autonomous systems into both current and future vessels. The collaboration supports the goals of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), which encourages local and international firms to contribute to building the Kingdom’s industrial base in defense and security.

Under the MOU, Zamil Shipyards will lead the design and construction of unmanned surface vessels (USVs), while SAMI-L3Harris will provide autonomous navigation systems, integrated sensors, and mission planning technologies. Together, the two partners aim to create one of the first domestically developed USVs under the "Saudi Made" label.

The initiative is expected to result in several modular variants of USVs with capabilities ranging from surveillance and reconnaissance to maritime interdiction. A series of on-water demonstrations is scheduled for 2025 to showcase the progress made through the joint efforts.