Abu Dhabi-made armoured vehicles to hit global markets

NIMR plans to increase exports to Europe and Southeast Asia

The UAE, the second biggest Arab economy, is developing a domestic defence industry to help lower its military expenditure, Photo courtesy of NIMR

Abu Dhabi-based NIMR Automotive is planning to increase exports of its “Made in the UAE” military-grade vehicles to international markets over the next five years, the company said on Monday.

The Emirates Defence Industries Company (Edic) subsidiary delivered its first batch of vehicles outside the Middle East and North Africa region last month to Turkmenistan, while further exports will hit Thailand and Malaysia early next year. The company declined to disclose contract values.

A company spokeswoman told The National that NIMR was looking to add Europe to its list after signing a strategic partnership agreement with the Czech Republic's VOP CZ.

"Central and Eastern Europe are currently witnessing their largest defence spending drive of the past two decades to replace ageing, legacy platforms with combat proven equipment fit for today's threat environment," she said, adding that NIMR is projecting to manufacturing more than 1,000 armoured cars during the next three to five years for the European market alone.

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The AJBAN 440A and Long Range Special Operations Vehicle is designed for use by special forces, designed to meet various military requirements from utility to fully protected tactical vehicles. It seats a four-member team with an optional fifth seat and is able to be fitted with ballistic and blast protection.

The armoured vehicle market is expected to reach more than US$31 billion by 2021, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6 per cent as more conflicts and acts of violence rise, according to a report by Markets and Markets. The increase in conflicts reached its highest level in 2014, and has remained high costing the global economy nearly $90bn, according to the Institute of Economics and Peace.

“NIMR has a clear understanding of the threats faced across the region and with our partners we will be able to deliver proven, combat-tested armoured vehicles, capable of addressing these challenges,” said Fahad Saif Harhara Al Yafei, NIMR chief executive.