Saudi Arabia ERAF and Lockheed Martin Partner on New Unmanned Turret for Next-Gen Land Combat Vehicle.

Lockheed Martin UK and Saudi Arabia’s ERAF Industrial Co. Ltd. signed an MoU at World Defense Show 2026 to jointly develop and produce an unmanned turret for future land combat vehicles. The move underscores Riyadh’s push to localize advanced armored warfare capabilities while reshaping how Western defense firms engage the Saudi market.

Lockheed Martin UK and ERAF Industrial Co. Ltd. have formalized a new industrial partnership aimed at developing an unmanned turret capability for next-generation land combat platforms, according to officials speaking at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh. The memorandum of understanding, signed during the event’s opening phase, signals a more profound shift in Saudi Arabia’s defense strategy, moving away from traditional procurement toward domestic design, integration, and long-term production of complex armored vehicle subsystems.
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The Lockheed Martin–ERAF unmanned turret concept, displayed at the ERAF booth during the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, highlights the modular architecture at the center of the new Saudi-led development program (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

At the core of the agreement is the joint development of a platform-agnostic unmanned turret built on a modular, open architecture. Industry sources familiar with the program told Army Recognition that the design philosophy emphasizes weapon and sensor flexibility, enabling rapid adaptation to different mission profiles and vehicle classes. This includes compatibility with a range of medium-caliber cannons, remote weapon stations, and future sensor payloads, all supported by a digital backbone designed for seamless integration with modern battle management systems.

ERAF Industrial Co. Ltd. has emerged in recent years as one of the most ambitious Saudi defense companies focused on land systems and advanced manufacturing. Backed by the Kingdom’s broader industrial strategy, ERAF has invested heavily in precision machining, armored vehicle structures, and systems integration capabilities. Defense officials view the unmanned turret program as a significant step in ERAF’s evolution from component supplier to full-spectrum defense system developer, capable of managing complex design, production, and sustainment cycles.

Under the agreement, ERAF will serve as the industrial anchor for the program in Saudi Arabia. This includes localized engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and long-term sustainment, with the clear objective of retaining intellectual and industrial know-how within the Kingdom. Lockheed Martin will support these efforts through structured technology transfer, engineering collaboration, and access to its extensive experience in turret integration, testing, and operational qualification across NATO and allied forces.

Operationally, the unmanned turret is designed to significantly enhance crew survivability by relocating operators away from exposed weapon stations and into protected hulls. The system is expected to feature stabilized firing on the move, advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors, and growth margins for future upgrades such as artificial intelligence-assisted target tracking. Engineers involved in early design discussions indicated that the architecture is being aligned with Saudi Arabia’s long-term interest in autonomous and optionally manned ground vehicle concepts.

Beyond the technical dimension, the collaboration highlights the rapid maturation of Saudi Arabia’s defense industrial base under Vision 2030. Over the past decade, the Kingdom has moved aggressively to localize defense manufacturing, supported by policy reforms, investment incentives, and the creation of dedicated industrial clusters. Programs like the ERAF-Lockheed Martin unmanned turret initiative illustrate how Saudi industry is transitioning from licensed assembly toward genuine co-development and system ownership.

Defense industry officials speaking on the sidelines of WDS 2026 described the agreement as emblematic of a broader shift in Saudi procurement philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on short-term acquisitions, the Ministry of Defense is increasingly prioritizing programs that deliver long-term industrial sovereignty, workforce development, and export potential. The unmanned turret program is widely seen as a candidate for integration not only on Saudi Army platforms but also on future armored vehicle offerings aimed at regional and international markets.

For Lockheed Martin, the partnership reinforces a long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia while aligning the company with the Kingdom’s strategic objective to build a sustainable, independent defense ecosystem. For ERAF, it represents a defining moment, positioning the company as a national champion in advanced land combat systems and a key contributor to the future of Saudi armored warfare capabilities.

As World Defense Show 2026 continues, the Lockheed Martin-ERAF unmanned turret initiative stands out as a tangible demonstration of how Saudi Arabia is reshaping its defense industry, combining international expertise with local ambition to deliver future-ready combat capabilities grounded in national industrial strength.

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.