HABOOB Tactical UAV System: A Customized KARAYEL-SU Variant for Saudi Arabia
At the open-air exhibition area of World Defense Show 2026, the armed UAV known in Türkiye as the LENTATEK KARAYEL-SU was displayed under its Saudi designation, HABOOB, at the INTRA Defense Technologies booth. Company officials emphasized that the platform has a Saudi brand name, to locally market within the Kingdom. According to INTRA, the KARAYEL-SU—specifically its armed, extended-wing variant—was developed by LENTATEK and has been in service in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for many years to meet a Saudi operational requirements.
The platform has been equipped with SATCOM capability, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) control and significantly expanding its operational reach and Synthetic Aperture Radar is being integrated for all weather surveillance applications.
Another critical enhancement is the integration of an anti-jamming capability designed to improve survivability in contested electromagnetic environments. This is achieved through a CRPA technology to avoid from GPS jamming activity and alerting operators before the UAV enters affected areas.
NATHIR-X Pod: Detecting Jamming Threats
Mounted under the aircraft’s left wing is the NATHIR-X pod, developed by INTRA in response to operational experience. According to information shared at the stand. The first prototype of the pod was developed approximately four months prior to WDS 2026 and is currently undergoing field testing.
The NATHIR-X pod functions as a passive electronic support system (ESM), capable of detecting both the presence and direction of jamming activity. Once a threat is identified, the system alerts the Ground Control Station (GCS), enabling operators to adjust the UAV’s flight path and avoid the affected area. By providing early warning of electronic warfare activity, the system aims to improve mission survivability and maintain operational continuity in environments where GPS or communication jamming may be present.
Weapons Configuration
According the localization efforts made by INTRA, the HABOOB UAV displayed at the exhibition featured two external hardpoints carrying INTRA’s Shalfa (Arabic for “lance”) laser-guided lightweight smart munitions.
At the INTRA booth, the HABOOB UAV was displayed with one Shalfa II and one MAM-L smart munition mounted under its right wing, while the left wing carried a Shalfa I smart munition along with the NATHIR-X ESM pod. Officials confirmed that the platform is configured to employ precision-guided, laser-designated weapons.
The Shalfa family consists of compact, air-launched precision munitions utilizing a hybrid guidance architecture combining INS/GNSS navigation with a terminal semi-active laser seeker. This configuration enables engagement of both armored and point targets from standoff ranges. The release and mid-course phases rely on INS/GNSS guidance, while terminal guidance is provided by the semi-active laser seeker. Unlike heavier UCAV-class munitions, Shalfa has been specifically designed to meet the payload constraints of tactical UAVs.
The powered variant, Shalfa I, weighs less than 14 kg, measures approximately 1.2 meters in length, and has a diameter of 70 mm. It employs inertial and satellite guidance during mid-course flight, transitioning to laser homing in the terminal phase. The system offers an effective engagement range of 2 to 12 km and is optimized for precision strike and anti-armor missions.
A second, unpowered glide variant, Shalfa II, incorporates a larger 100 mm diameter warhead while maintaining a similar guidance architecture. This variant is optimized for top-attack profiles and low-signature engagements, enhancing lethality against armored targets.
INTRA officials also noted that the system software can dynamically switch between guidance modes depending on the electromagnetic environment. Additionally, the munition is equipped with a multipurpose warhead capable of penetrating up to 700 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA).
The company stated that approximately 80% of Shalfa production is being localized within Saudi Arabia in cooperation with national defense industry stakeholders. INTRA aims to produce 12 live munitions by the end of 2026 for subsequent field deployment.
G4 & G8 Ground Control Stations
Two Ground Control Station (GCS) configurations were displayed alongside the HABOOB UAV. The first, designated G4, is a tactical vehicle-mounted system equipped with four operator consoles, allowing simultaneous control of up to two UAVs. It features a mast-mounted communications system for data link support and mission connectivity. Roof-mounted solar panels provide partial power, reducing reliance on external energy sources during field operations.
The second configuration, the G8 GCS, is designed for larger UAV fleets and can accommodate up to eight operators. It supports simultaneous control of multiple UAVs via both SATCOM and line-of-sight communication links.
Unlike the G4, the G8 relies on an onboard generator, capable of sustaining operations for approximately 12 hours, extendable to around 16 hours under optimal conditions.
Operational Feedback
Officials indicated that the HABOOB UAV is currently in service with the Saudi Armed Forces, including naval units, and has seen extensive operational use, including deployment in Yemen. Feedback suggests that while the platform has certain limitations, it has generally performed effectively in operational conditions.
Post-deployment enhancement— as passive electronic warfare capabilities—have reportedly improved overall mission effectiveness, particularly in electronically contested environments.
Program Background and Industrial Cooperation
In the late 2010s, Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with LENTATEK for an undisclosed number of KARAYEL-SU UAVs, locally named as HABOOB. LENTATEK collaborates with its Saudi partner INTRA Defense Technologies, a company specializing in UAVs, optronics, and electronic warfare systems.
In a year go INTRA has started to deploy its own products as NATHIR-X Pod and Shelfa II weapons. Early configurations included integration of MAM-L munitions.
While Saudi Arabia decide to procure BAYRAKTAR AKINCI high-altitude long-endurance UCAVs (At least 60 AKINCI UCAVs will enter service with the Royal Saudi Air Force [RSAF] and Royal Saudi Naval Forces [RSNF] in the first batch), while not ordering tactical-class BAYRAKTAR TB2s, has been interpreted as a sign of confidence in its existing HABOOB/KARAYEL-SU fleet. As also known besides the RSNF, KSA Joint Forces are also using HABOOB/KARAYEL-SU for around a year as a second customer in KSA.
Technical Characteristics
Powered by a 97-horsepower engine, the KARAYEL-SU is the armed, extended-wing variant of the KARAYEL family, now marketed by LENTATEK. The platform is designed in accordance with NATO STANAG 4671 airworthiness standards and features a triple-redundant distributed avionics architecture for enhanced flight safety and reliability.
In its current configuration, the system offers:
Up to 20 hours of endurance with payload
An operational altitude of approximately 22,500 feet
A line-of-sight control range of around 200 km
The UAV can carry up to a 70 kg electro-optical/infrared payload including many international well known EO/IR, SAR payload and EW pods.
