UAE’s Nimr, a leading maker of combat-proven wheeled military vehicles, has signed a manufacturing licence deal with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (Sami), to transfer technology and build JAIS 4x4 vehicle in Saudi Arabia.

 

JAIS 4x4 is the next generation of mine resistant, ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, providing critical balance between firepower, survivability, and mobility for modern, conventional, and asymmetric operations. 

 

Crew survivability depends on a ‘crew citadel’ protection system that has demonstrated proven capabilities against mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and ballistic threats.

 

Designed to enable local manufacture of the JAIS vehicle, the defence procurement programme between the two countries testifies the sides’ utmost commitment to diversifying their economies, developing local talent, and establishing high-technology industries.

 

Following the signing of the teaming agreement during Idex 2021, Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Nimr Board and Eng Walid Abukhaled, CEO of Sami, signed into the next phase of their partnership at the World Defense Show 2022 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

 

Staff Major General Al Mazrouei: “At Nimr, we feel a fantastic sense of achievement at signing this licensing agreement and moving forward to the next stage of this landmark partnership with our colleagues at Sami. The exceptional performance of the battle-tested JAIS 4x4 vehicle paved the way for this day. We look forward to future cooperation with our trusted partners in Saudi Arabia.”

 

Eng Abukhaled said: “We are pleased that the new agreement further solidifies the partnership between Sami and Nimr. With this manufacturing licence agreement, we at Sami are taking a huge step toward our mission to develop world-class defence technologies and systems within Saudi Arabia in line with the Vision 2030 objective to localise 50% of the kingdom’s military spending. It will also enable us to contribute to enhancing the readiness of our national armed forces, while creating new direct and indirect employment opportunities for Saudis.”

 

Abri du Plessis, CEO, Nimr said: “Building strategic partnerships is at the heart of Nimr’s strategy – it is truly a defining moment for us to enter the first major defence procurement programme between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.”

 

He added: “This momentous deal demonstrates our export capabilities and commitment to delivering cutting-edge products at world-class standards. We look forward to building on this synergy in strengthening the country’s security and prosperity through defence, technology and knowledge transfer programmes.”

 

Edge is an advanced technology group for defence and beyond that ranks among the top 25 military suppliers in the world.-- TradeArabia News Service