EDGE Group’s NIMR yesterday signed a manufacturing license agreement with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, to transfer technology and boost SAMI’s domestic industrial capabilities, enabling the production of the combat proven JAIS 4×4 vehicle in Saudi Arabia.
Following the signing of the teaming agreement during IDEX 2021, His Excellency 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. 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.
His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the NIMR Board said: “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 4×4 vehicle paved the way for this day. We look forward to future cooperation with our trusted partners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Eng. Walid Abukhaled, CEO of SAMI, said: “We are pleased that the new agreement further solidifies the partnership between SAMI and NIMR. With this manufacturing license 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 percent 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.”
JAIS 4×4 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.