Saudi national champion, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), has announced a sweeping transformation, evolving from a company into a „strategic group.” This ambitious restructuring includes the launch of two significant new entities: SAMI Land Company and SAMI Autonomous Systems, marking a decisive step towards solidifying the kingdom’s indigenous defense capabilities and autonomy.
From Company to Strategic Group: An Expanded Vision Wael Alsarhan, SAMI’s chief communication and support services officer, emphasized the significance of this juncture. „We are at a unique and important position in SAMI’s journey with transferring positively from a company to a strategic group and spinning off a unique, specialized company that will be laser-focused on the client need in each sector,” Alsarhan explained. This strategic overhaul is designed to provide enhanced flexibility and respond more efficiently to the specific requirements of the Saudi armed forces.
Land Power: The Birth of SAMI Land Company and the HEET Program The first of the new entities, SAMI Land Company, will primarily focus „with the land forces on producing their need and their requirement.” The company is already fully operational, boasting a large facility spanning a million square meters, and is adopting the latest in land technology. One of SAMI Land Company’s first major announcements was the unveiling of a new armored vehicles program, dubbed HEET, at the World Defense Show.
The HEET program represents a full indigenous capability with complete Saudi intellectual property and design. „HEET is announcing new indigenous capability with full Saudi IP and design that hopefully we will work with our clients to fit these vehicles to their requirements,” Alsarhan stated. Saudi Defense Minister has already lifted the curtain on the first two vehicles: the HEET 8×8 and HEET 4×4, both equipped with modern turrets. While discussions regarding the exact development and delivery timeline are ongoing, enthusiasm for the program is palpable.
The Autonomous Future: SAMI Autonomous Systems The second newly established entity is SAMI Autonomous Systems, a company dedicated to autonomous systems across all platforms – land, air, and sea. Although the management team and strategic details have yet to be fully announced, Alsarhan clarified that the new company will not start „from scratch.” „We are integrating any effort that’s been done in the autonomous system in the past under this company,” he affirmed, suggesting a leveraging of existing expertise and projects.
A Cornerstone for Local Content: The RUKN Program In addition to creating these new companies, SAMI has also launched RUKN – a Local Content Program, whose name means „cornerstone.” RUKN is described as a value-adding and strategic effort designed to support SAMI’s localization initiatives, address maturity gaps, and develop locally empowered capabilities. „This is the cornerstone for supply chain,” Alsarhan explained of the fully automated program, which is available for suppliers to log in and register for „opportunities” within SAMI’s supply chain.
This structural transformation of SAMI, by spinning off its existing divisions into individual companies, maintains ownership under the SAMI umbrella but grants them „the flexibility to produce things according to the client needs.” Previously, SAMI had five divisions focused on aerospace, land, sea, advanced electronics, and defense systems, including joint ventures with international firms. The restructuring promises increased agility and a more precise alignment with Saudi Arabia’s defense capability development strategy.
