The General Directorate of Saudi Border Guard showcased the Al-Dahna vehicle at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion during the Saudi Made Expo 2025, held from December 15 to 17 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham.

Visitors to the pavilion explored the vehicle’s advanced equipment and high operational capabilities for efficient field missions and security operations in diverse conditions.

Al Dahna is a small-medium size 4×4 vehicle providing high modularity and various protection levels, depending on the mission definition. The overall designis suitable for various roles and is highly flexible with respect to mission requirements. GVW of 9 tons makes it a very suitable and universal vehicle for almost all required roles in the current asymmetric warefare. Strong 160kw, 4-cylinder militarized engine, providing ample torque of 810Nm, coupled with Allison automatic transmission, lockable differentials driveline, independent suspension and durable military specs tires which provide great mobility of this vehicle over various terrains.

The basic vehicle comes in ballistic protection of level 1 as per STANG 4569, upgradeable to Level 1 as per STANG 4569, upgradeable to Level 2, or FB 7 of CEN 1522, with corresponding floor protection against small antipersonnel grenades. In addition, the light version of this vehicle (without the armored protection) is also available for liaison role within the secure areas. The vehicles design reflects harsh climatic conditions on the Arabian peninsula and provides the space for high level of the customization.

On 01 July 2020, the Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) announced signing a contract for local production between the General Directorate of Border Guard and the Military Industries Corporation (MIC) for new armored military vehicles branded “Al-Dahna”.

The Authority worked, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, to award a contract for the manufacture of the armored vehicles to the Armored Vehicles and Heavy Equipment Factory (AVF), which is a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of MIC. Through this contract GAMI will work to localize this industry for the benefit of the Directorate as per the latest international standards and specifications.

The signing of the contract for supplying the Al-Dahna APV took place at GAMI’s Headquarters in Riyadh and in attendance were H.E. Ex-Governor of GAMI Ahmad Al Ohali, H.E. MIC President Mohammad Bin Hamad Al-Madhi, and the Lieutenant General of the Border Guard Awad Al-Balawi.

Al Ohali then explained that the local production of the new “Al-Dahna” vehicle is part of the Authority’s strategic direction of achieving national priorities. Moreover, developing legislation related to establishing military industrialization contracts, supporting and empowering local producers, developing the new local companies to be pioneering companies, supporting principal national companies to increase their position globally, expanding opportunities for qualified national cadres, and to achieve its fundamental goal of reaching a localization rate of more than 50% of the Kingdom’s expenditure on military equipment and services.

Al-Madhi, affirmed his pride in the Corporation and its qualified national capabilities and cadres according to the latest global production technologies, which resulted in its possession of the right to manufacture this type of APV, sharing that “Al-Dahna” vehicle has endured all the standard tests as well as mobility according to international classifications, as it is a multi-tasking four-wheel-drive vehicle, compatible with all conditions and specifications for military use.

H.E. praised HH the Minister of Interior on this contract with MIC. Al-Balawi also considered the significance of the contract, a culmination of HH’s interest and insight on the continuous development of the security Sectors and empowering them to perform their duties with high abilities and professionalism.

Lastly, Al-Balawi added that this project will have a vital role in developing the ecosystem of armored vehicles in the border guards, including training for operators, specialists and trainers in the line with the requirements of the next stage in the implementation of the highest standards aimed at raising the efficiency and qualification of border guards employees to perform tasks efficiently in effective partnership with the national institutions.