U.S. and Saudi Companies Join Forces to Develop Unmanned Naval Vessels
American companies and Saudi shipyards are joining forces to develop autonomous military vessels as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative
Photo: Zamil Offshore website
In a significant step toward strengthening Saudi Arabia’s defense industry, American firms L3Harris Technologies and SAMI L3Harris have signed a strategic partnership agreement with Zamil Shipyards to jointly develop unmanned military vessels – a first for the Kingdom.
According to a report by Next Generation Defense, the collaboration will focus on designing and building various types of autonomous surface and subsurface vessels, tailored for surveillance and maritime security missions. As part of the project, some existing manned naval platforms will also be retrofitted for unmanned operations.
Under the agreement, Zamil Shipyards will take the lead in overseeing local shipbuilding operations, while the American partners will be responsible for integrating advanced technologies including navigation systems, sensors, and mission-specific equipment.
Zamil CEO Alistair Bisset emphasized that the upcoming vessels are designed for coastal and border defense, with capabilities both above and below the waterline. Initial sea trials are expected to begin within the coming year.
This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to localize key defense manufacturing capabilities. The program, spearheaded by the Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), encourages international companies to establish local partnerships and transfer technical expertise to boost the Kingdom’s security and technological independence.
