Caracal's chief executive Hamad Al Ameri during Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Caracal's chief executive Hamad Al Ameri during Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Caracal's chief executive Hamad Al Ameri during Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Caracal's chief executive Hamad Al Ameri during Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Idex 2021: UAE’s Caracal plans more global manufacturing units


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

Caracal, the biggest small arms manufacturer in the Middle East, plans to open new plants around the world as demand for its products grows.

The company has four factories in Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Germany and the US. It manufactures pistols and rifles for military use.

"We want to open more facilities due to higher demand for our products," chief executive Hamad Al Ameri told The National on the sidelines of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference yesterday.

“We are currently in negotiations to open a facility in India.”

He did not give further details.

Caracal is one of 25 entities that make up Edge – a defence conglomerate formed in 2019 that specialises in developing advanced technology for weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.

Gulf countries, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are pushing to ensure that military equipment is manufactured locally as they focus on reducing their economic reliance on oil.

Mr Al Ameri said the company had also finalised a deal with the Indian government to supply 93,000 rifles valued at $100 million.

“There is a big demand [for Caracal products],” he said.

“What makes our products unique is that they were made for the environment of the Middle East. So, if it works here, it works in any other environment."

He said the company's high-quality weapons work in the desert and in humid conditions – giving them a reputation that they can work in any other region.

The company unveiled its second-generation Caracal F Gen II pistol and the CSA338 semi-automatic rifle during Idex this week.

“This pistol was on demand and everybody was waiting for the upgraded version of [the] Caracal F pistol,” he said.

The CSA338 semi-automatic rifle has a “very accurate system" that can take shots from up to 1,400 metres away, he said.

The company also plans to export weapons to more countries.

  • The Bahraini warship RBNS Al Muharraq on display on Idex and the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition, or Navdex Victor Besa / The National
    The Bahraini warship RBNS Al Muharraq on display on Idex and the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition, or Navdex Victor Besa / The National
  • A heavy-duty vehicle demonstration in the grandstand area. Idex runs until Thursday, February 25 Victor Besa / The National
    A heavy-duty vehicle demonstration in the grandstand area. Idex runs until Thursday, February 25 Victor Besa / The National
  • Visitors tour exhibits on Tuesday, the third day of Idex Victor Besa / The National
    Visitors tour exhibits on Tuesday, the third day of Idex Victor Besa / The National
  • More than 900 exhibitors are participating in this year's event Victor Besa / The National
    More than 900 exhibitors are participating in this year's event Victor Besa / The National
  • A 50 calibre heavy machinegun mounted on the Chaser-980 speedboat manufactured by UAE company Aksum Marine. Victor Besa / The National
    A 50 calibre heavy machinegun mounted on the Chaser-980 speedboat manufactured by UAE company Aksum Marine. Victor Besa / The National
  • Local and international companies are launching dozens of products at Idex. An array of equipment and technologies is on display Victor Besa / The National
    Local and international companies are launching dozens of products at Idex. An array of equipment and technologies is on display Victor Besa / The National
  • The Falcon 980 manufactured by UAE company Aksum Marine Victor Besa / The National
    The Falcon 980 manufactured by UAE company Aksum Marine Victor Besa / The National
  • Contracts worth billions of dollars have already been signed at Idex and Navdex Victor Besa / The National
    Contracts worth billions of dollars have already been signed at Idex and Navdex Victor Besa / The National
  • A Chaser speedboat made by Aksum Marine Victor Besa / The National
    A Chaser speedboat made by Aksum Marine Victor Besa / The National
  • The Milkor MN Centurion high-speed interceptor craft Victor Besa / The National
    The Milkor MN Centurion high-speed interceptor craft Victor Besa / The National
  • A visitor looks at the Al-Tariq missile manufactured by UAE company Halcon Victor Besa / The National
    A visitor looks at the Al-Tariq missile manufactured by UAE company Halcon Victor Besa / The National
  • Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
    Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
  • Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
    Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
  • Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
    Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
  • Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
    Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
  • Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
    Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
  • Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National
    Al Fursan air display at IDEX on day 3, at the ADNEC Grandstand. Victor Besa / The National

“We are looking at more markets especially in South and East Asia,” he said.

Alongside India, the company already exports its products to South Korea and Indonesia.

Caracal is also looking at partnerships with international defence companies.

“There is great potential and there is more demand for small arms.”

Over the past three years, the company has recorded growth through new orders, he said.

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20flat-six%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E525hp%20(GT3)%2C%20500hp%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E465Nm%20(GT3)%2C%20450Nm%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh944%2C000%20(GT3)%2C%20Dh581%2C700%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Series result

1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets

2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets

3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets

5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

How to donate

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Ukraine%20exports
%3Cp%3EPresident%20Volodymyr%20Zelenskyy%20has%20overseen%20grain%20being%20loaded%20for%20export%20onto%20a%20Turkish%20ship%20following%20a%20deal%20with%20Russia%20brokered%20by%20the%20UN%20and%20Turkey.%3Cbr%3E%22The%20first%20vessel%2C%20the%20first%20ship%20is%20being%20loaded%20since%20the%20beginning%20of%20the%20war.%20This%20is%20a%20Turkish%20vessel%2C%22%20Zelensky%20said%2C%20adding%20exports%20could%20start%20in%20%22the%20coming%20days%22%20under%20the%20plan%20aimed%20at%20getting%20millions%20of%20tonnes%20of%20Ukrainian%20grain%20stranded%20by%20Russia's%20naval%20blockade%20to%20world%20markets.%3Cbr%3E%22Our%20side%20is%20fully%20prepared%2C%22%20he%20said.%20%22We%20sent%20all%20the%20signals%20to%20our%20partners%20--%20the%20UN%20and%20Turkey%2C%20and%20our%20military%20guarantees%20the%20security%20situation.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Full Party in the Park line-up

2pm – Andreah

3pm – Supernovas

4.30pm – The Boxtones

5.30pm – Lighthouse Family

7pm – Step On DJs

8pm – Richard Ashcroft

9.30pm – Chris Wright

10pm – Fatboy Slim

11pm – Hollaphonic

 

Company name: Play:Date

Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day

Founder: Shamim Kassibawi

Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US

Sector: Tech 

Size: 20 employees

Stage of funding: Seed

Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund

The biog

Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed

Age: 34

Emirate: Dubai

Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"

THE%20HOLDOVERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlexander%20Payne%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Paul%20Giamatti%2C%20Da'Vine%20Joy%20Randolph%2C%20Dominic%20Sessa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Morbius'

Director: Daniel Espinosa 

Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona

Rating: 2/5

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet

The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

Results:

6.30pm: Maiden | US$45,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres

Winner: Tabarak, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap | $175,000 (Turf) | 3,200m

Winner: Dubhe, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m

Winner: Estihdaaf, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor

8.15pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,800m

Winner: Nordic Lights, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 | $450,000 (D) | 1,900m

Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

9.25pm: Handicap | $175,000 (T) | 1,200m

Winner: Mazzini, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

10pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,400m.

Winner: Mubtasim, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: 

  • UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
  • Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

WE%20NO%20LONGER%20PREFER%20MOUNTAINS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Inas%20Halabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENijmeh%20Hamdan%2C%20Kamal%20Kayouf%2C%20Sheikh%20Najib%20Alou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten

Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a  month before Reaching the Last Mile.

Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

 

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.4-litre%2C%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E617hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E750Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh630%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Nations League

League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)