The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), Egypt’s state-owned defence conglomerate, has unveiled a new range of indigenous military systems, headlined by the “Anubis” combat Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). The reveal came during a high-level inspection visit by AOI Chairman Lieutenant General Mokhtar Abdel Latif, signalling a major step forward in Cairo’s efforts to localise advanced autonomous technologies.
In an era of strategic competition, uncrewed ground vehicles are poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities of African armed forces to outmatch peer adversaries and maintain a tactical and strategic advantage. These systems deliver increased situational awareness, lethality, and tactical options for army formations in support of multi-domain operations. Operators remotely control UGVs that operate semi-autonomously, enabling real-time decision-making from safer positions. UGVs prove relevant to all phases of multi-domain operations, from the initial compete stage where they gather intelligence to outmanoeuvre opponents, through penetration efforts to breach enemy lines, disintegrate phases to disrupt command structures, exploit opportunities to press advantages, and recompete cycles to sustain long-term dominance.
The “Anubis” Combat Robot
The centrepiece of the inspection was the Anubis, a small, remote-controlled wheeled UGV designed for versatile combat support roles. According to AOI officials, the system is armed with a remotely operated combat turret capable of mounting a variety of kinetic effectors, including 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns and automatic grenade launchers.
The platform’s modular architecture allows for significant mission flexibility; it can be reconfigured to carry anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) or even act as a carrier for small aerial drones. This adaptability positions the Anubis as a force multiplier for infantry units, capable of providing scouting, fire support, and anti-armour capabilities without exposing soldiers to direct fire.
The development of the Anubis aligns with a broader strategic partnership between the AOI’s Kader Factory for Developed Industries and Turkish defence firm Havelsan. In March 2025, the two entities signed a cooperation agreement to jointly produce UGVs in Egypt. While the Anubis appears to be a region-specific design tailored to Middle Eastern requirements, it likely benefits from the transfer of Turkish engineering expertise and autonomous software architecture, similar to that found in Havelsan’s Barkan UGV series.
Advanced 30mm Turret and Fahd Upgrades
Alongside the UGV, the AOI showcased a new advanced 30mm combat turret currently in production. This heavy weapon station is equipped with state-of-the-art electro-optical targeting and vision systems, laser warning receivers, and the capability to mount twin anti-tank guided missiles. This development represents a leap in firepower for Egypt’s armoured fleet, moving beyond the lighter 12.7mm remote weapons stations (like the locally produced Eagle 1) typically seen on Egyptian vehicles.
Lieutenant General Abdel Latif also reviewed ongoing upgrades to the Fahd armoured personnel carrier (APC) family. The Fahd, a workhorse of the Egyptian Army, has seen continuous evolution, with recent variants like the Fahd-300 featuring V-shaped hulls for improved mine protection and more powerful diesel engines. The integration of the new 30mm turret onto platforms like the Fahd or the newer Sena 200 infantry fighting vehicle would significantly upgun Egypt’s mechanised infantry.
Export Success and Civil Integration
The inspection highlighted the AOI’s growing export footprint. The chairman noted that new armoured platforms have already been exported to several African nations. A notable recent success includes the export of Kader-1 riot control vehicles and Kader-2 “Shield” armoured vehicles to Equatorial Guinea, marking a shift for Egypt from a net importer of arms to a regional supplier.
Beyond military hardware, the tour emphasised the AOI’s dual-use industrial strategy. Production lines for civilian utility vehicles—including firefighting trucks, ambulances, and mobile banking units—were on display. The organisation is also pivoting toward green energy, with new initiatives to develop lithium batteries to support Egypt’s nascent electric mobility sector.
Concluding the visit, Lieutenant General Abdel Latif reiterated the strategic imperative of increasing local content ratios. By producing high-tech systems like the Anubis UGV and advanced turrets domestically, Egypt aims to insulate itself from global supply chain disruptions while offering cost-effective solutions to allies in the Middle East and Africa.
