Tawazun United Arab Emirates signs a joint venture to manufacture Nimr vehicles in Algeria 3007126.

Defense Industry News - Tawazun

The joint venture- which will see the new company produce UAE-designed armored vehicles in Algeria under license from Nimr - means that the UAE is now exporting its advanced defense technology know-how to other markets around the world. The agreement also allows Tawazun easier access to the African defense market, opening up new commercial opportunities for the fast-growing strategic manufacturer.

The newly created company will initially target producing more than 200 4x4 armored vehicles after its set-up is complete.

One of Tawazun's twelve subsidiaries, Nimr is a defense vehicle manufacturer based in Abu Dhabi which provides a portfolio of armored vehicle products to address the various needs of global armed forces and internal security organizations.

The new JV with GPIM is entering into agreements with Nimr Automotive to transfer the technology and manufacturing know-how needed to assemble and produce two versions of the 4x4 armored vehicles in Algeria.

The Nimr UAE team will also work with its Algerian counterpart on human capability training and development to build up the skills of the over 300 Algerian workforce. The JV will, over time, produce several major components in Algeria while certain UAE-made components needed to assemble the cars will be supplied to it by Nimr Automotive.

H.E Saif Al Hajeri, CEO of Tawazun Holding, said: "As the defense manufacturing industry becomes increasingly competitive globally, it is vital for manufacturers to seek out new ways of expanding their business. We've selected DFM as a partner due to its high standards that match our own, as well as Algeria being a gateway to reach other African markets which could promote new partnership opportunities for us in the near future."

H.E Al Hajeri continued: "It is a credit to our nation's development that defense products made in the UAE are becoming rapidly synonymous with innovative design and high quality. Being able to export home-grown technological know-how into another market within a short space of time is a big achievement for Nimr, and we are highly confident that this JV will complement the excellent reputation that the UAE-based operation is developing with defense product buyers and users in the region and beyond."

The JV will produce two variations of Nimr 4x4 vehicles to meet the requirements of the Algerian market over the next 15 years for a demand forecast of 2,500 cars, with the aim to potentially supply other customers in the region.

Director of the DFM,Major General Rachid Chouaki, commented:"This partnership will allow us to take quality vehicle design, functionality and innovation to new levels for the benefit of our customers, and will help further strengthen the already strong relationship that exists between the two countries.Working with Tawazun, we are confident that together we can build and train a work force which is capable of equipping our army and defense personnel with top-of-the-line armored Nimr vehicles fit for the region'sharsh terrain."

Hamad Al Neyadi, Chairman of Nimr Automotive, stated: "The agreement will see us provide the manufacturing licenses needed for the newly created company to be the main supplier of armored vehicles for the Algerian military,as well as generate the potential to develop products for customers across the African continent. The JV will work on final assembly on a number of vehicles and we anticipate that following the completion of the technical facility and personnel training, we will have a set up ready to fully produce 4x4 Nimr vehicles by the end of 2014."