SAMI signs major agreement with three Turkish primes

SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries) has signed major agreements with three Turkish defence primes that will lead to the localisation of production and technology transfer into Saudi Arabia, according to a series of announcements made during IDEF 2025. 

The first of the collaborations is a partnership with Nurol Makina and specifically focuses on the transfer of technology and local manufacturing of military vehicles currently produced by Nurol Makina. A second agreement has been formalised with FNSS, which also targets the transfer of technology and local manufacturing of armoured combat vehicles and weapon turrets. . 

Completing the trio of strategic alliances, SAMI’s third agreement is with Aselsan, focusing on the transfer of technology and the localisation of turret systems manufacturing within the Kingdom. This particular collaboration is set to support various Saudi combat vehicle projects, the press release explains.

All three agreements will see transfer and manufacturing operations consolidated at the SAMI Land Industrial Complex. This state-of-the-art facility is slated to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2025, positioning it as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s defence industrial base. Designed to meet the highest global standards for land systems manufacturing, the complex is being developed as a centre of excellence for producing 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 armoured vehicles, alongside armed turrets, the press release from the Saudi government explains. 

These announcements follow a separate series of MoUs signed in 2024 between SAMI, Baykar Technology, its subsidiary Fergani and Aselsan. Those agreements paved the way for SAMI to build the Baykar Akinci drone domestically, including the Aselsan electro-optical systems, which Saudi Arabia procured in 2023 for its air force and navy. That deal was valued at around $3 billion and the Kingdom was aiming for 70% localisation of the production of the platform. 

There is no known order for Nurol Makina and FNSS vehicles for Saudi Arabia, however, the Saudi land forces and National Guard have an eclectic range of protected mobility and more heavily armoured vehicles that could stand to be replaced by platforms that the two Turkish companies offer. The MoUs notably include turret and 8×8 vehicle production from FNSS, according to that company’s press release, vehicle production from Nurol Makina, and turret production from Aselsan. 

Nurol Makina’s vehicles are often featured and sold with Aselsan’s remote weapon systems (RWS) like the SARP. FNSS produces a range of tracked platforms like the Kaplan family, as well as 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles in a variety of configurations along with its own turrets such as the Teber-II. 

SAMI and Vision 2030

Aselsan and SAMI signed an MoU during IDEF to localise production of turrets in Saudi Arabia. Credit: SAMI

All of the agreements mentioned above, including that from 2024 are part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030; an ambitious national framework launched in 2016 to transform the Kingdom and significantly reduce its economic reliance on oil. At its core, it aims to foster a vibrant society by enhancing quality of life and cultural engagement, build a thriving economy through diversification into new sectors like tourism, technology, and manufacturing, and cultivate an ambitious nation by improving government efficiency and accountability. This comprehensive programme seeks to attract foreign investment, create diverse job opportunities, and develop human capital, ultimately positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader beyond its traditional oil industry.

The defence industry is seen as a significant sector for achieving this by localising a substantial portion of military spending. The ambitious goal is to localise 50% of Saudi Arabia’s military expenditure by 2030, which was at a much lower percentage (around 2-4%) when Vision 2030 was launched. This means manufacturing defence equipment, providing services, and conducting maintenance within the Kingdom, rather than relying solely on imports. 

Neighbouring UAE has developed similar plans for “after the last barrel,” and has established the EDGE Group, a growing defence conglomerate that is beginning to yield export success. EDGE exhibited its products at IDEF for the first time this year, furthering its own relations with Türkiye but in hopes of securing further exports. This may be indicative of the future path for SAMI, which could provide defence exports and introduce further competition into the international market at a later date. 

Calibre comment

FNSS, Nurol Makina, and Aselsan have all gained significant export success with their product offerings, alongside fellow Turkish company Otokar. They are increasingly offering their products and securing market share in Europe, and have all begun the move to South America, targeting requirements there. Their vehicles and capabilities are often very competitive in price and matched with delivery timelines that can be measured in weeks and months, rather than years – as was the case with Nurol Makina’s delivery of NMS 4x4s to Estonia. This means that they are effective and capable players on the international market, often able to compete with larger well-known primes from Europe and the US. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on July 25, 2025. Credit for the lead image is Nurol Makina. It shows the FNSS and Nurol Makina teams together with SAMI and representatives of Saudi Arabia following the signing of their MoUs.