WDS 2026: SAMI Unveils New HEET 8x8 105mm Fire Support Vehicle Built in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabian Military Industries unveiled its new HEET 8x8 fire support vehicle with a 105mm turret at the World Defense Show 2026, highlighting a platform developed entirely within the Kingdom. The debut signals Riyadh’s growing intent to field domestically designed armored combat systems rather than relying on foreign suppliers.

Saudi Arabian Military Industries, known as SAMI, used the World Defense Show 2026 to introduce what it described as a fully indigenous fire support vehicle concept, designated the HEET 8x8 105mm turret system. According to company officials speaking at the exhibition, the vehicle was designed and engineered entirely in Saudi Arabia, reflecting a deliberate push to establish sovereign armored combat capabilities aligned with the Kingdom’s long-term defense industrial strategy.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Unveiling of the HEET 8x8 fire support vehicle armed with a 105 mm turret at the Saudi Arabian Military Industries booth during World Defense Show 2026, highlighting a new Saudi-designed armored combat concept. (Picture source: army Recognition Group)

Commenting on the unveiling, an Army Recognition defense analyst noted that one of the most striking aspects of the vehicle is its highly unconventional layout, with the crew positioned at the very front of the hull, behind small, protected windows that provide an estimated 180-degree forward view. According to the analyst, this configuration is rare among modern wheeled fire support vehicles. It suggests a design philosophy focused on enhanced situational awareness in complex environments, particularly in urban and semi-urban combat zones, while maintaining a compact, aggressively sloped frontal profile.

The HEET 8x8 concept is built around an 8x8 wheeled armored platform emphasizing high mobility, advanced protection, and modular mission adaptability. Designed for rapid deployment, the vehicle is optimized to operate across urban terrain, desert environments, and off-road landscapes that define much of the Middle East’s operational geography. The 8x8 configuration strikes a deliberate balance between strategic mobility and combat payload, enabling rapid repositioning while supporting the heavier armament traditionally associated with tracked vehicles.

Central to the platform is the integration of a 105mm turret, transforming the HEET 8x8 into a dedicated fire support asset capable of delivering direct fire against fortified positions, armored threats, and high-value targets. This caliber choice suggests a doctrinal role that bridges the gap between infantry support vehicles and main battle tanks, offering commanders a mobile, cost-efficient option for fire dominance without the logistical burden and sustainment costs of heavier armored formations.

Protection and survivability are core design priorities. The vehicle incorporates scalable armor solutions, allowing operators to adjust protection levels based on mission profiles and threat intensity. This modular protection philosophy enhances operational flexibility, enabling the same platform to be configured for internal security operations, expeditionary deployments, or high-intensity conflict scenarios. Integrated command-and-control systems further indicate that the HEET 8x8 is conceived as a networked battlefield node, capable of operating seamlessly within modern digital combat architectures.

Another defining feature of the concept is its adaptability in weapon system operation. The platform supports optional manned or unmanned weapon system configurations, reflecting contemporary trends toward increased crew survivability and remote engagement. This flexibility allows armed forces to tailor the vehicle to specific operational doctrines, whether prioritizing direct crew control for rapid decision-making or leveraging unmanned solutions to reduce exposure in contested environments.

From an industrial perspective, the HEET 8x8 is more than a single-vehicle concept. It illustrates the maturation of Saudi Arabia’s defense manufacturing ecosystem. It aligns closely with national objectives to localize military production, develop sovereign design capabilities, and reduce long-term dependence on foreign suppliers. The emphasis on a reliable, cost-effective local platform points to an ambition to field systems that are not only technologically credible but also sustainable throughout their full operational lifecycle.

The debut of the HEET 8x8 105mm turret at World Defense Show 2026 highlights a strategic shift in Saudi defense planning, where mobility, modularity, and indigenous firepower converge. If the concept progresses toward serial production, it could reshape how regional forces approach mobile fire support missions and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as an emerging designer of advanced armored combat vehicles rather than solely a consumer of imported defense systems.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.