IDEX 2013 - UAE Fighting Vehicles

Over the last two decades, the UAE has been steadily developing its Armed Forces with large purchases of combat vehicles. For this desert nation, AIFVs have become the main mobility tool for its well-equipped land forces. The UAE has a fleet of over 2,000 AIFVs, either delivered or in the process of being delivered. These are considered the primary means of survival for its Army on the move. Indeed, the AIFVs and their variants and various add-ons have been prominent fixtures at IDEX over the years.

At IDEX 2011, the UAE Special Forces showcased a building storm scenario on the mobility track that included many of the UAEs armoured vehicles. (All Photos via Mohammed Ahmedullah)

The large local requirement besides the possibility of exports to neighbouring countries has meant local companies are getting in on the action to manufacture 4X4 and 6X6 AIFVs with technology procured from western partners. Manufacturers based in Abu Dhabi or one of the other seven Emirates are slowly but steadily developing their businesses to manufacture and export infantry vehicles.

More recently, the UAE has begun large scale inductions with contracts awarded to various companies for as many 600-1,000 combat vehicles. And each of these contracts varies between $150-$200 million.

A peaceful nation, the UAE is concerned over the security of the Straits of Hormuz, through which more than half of the world's crude oil is transported to its markets. With Iran threatening to blockade the Straits of Hormuz, should its war of words with the US and Israel escalate into an armed conflict, the UAE has been bolstering its Armed Forces to protect its oil channels since 2011 after a near-war with Iran. The UAEs armoured vehicles should come in handy to rapidly deploy troops on its side of the Straits of Hormuz. The relatively low strength of its Army, only 24,000 personnel, means it must rely on technology and mobility to make up for manpower shortage.

UAE Inventory of Combat Vehicles

The UAE Armed Forces control a total of 2,095 combat vehicles, MBTs, APCs, etc. With an additional 750 MRAPs on order, the total number of land vehicles commanded by the UAE will total up to nearly 3,000.

Latest Capabilities Sought From 2010-2012

Over the last two years, the UAE has significantly upgraded its IFV arsenal particularly in the mine resistant and armoured vehicles segments. Its procurements over the last two years show that it desires to have the very best in the world. Some of the more prominent acquisitions are enumerated below.

BAE Systems RG31 Mk5 is a 44 mine-protected APC (MPV) and designed for resisting improvised explosives and mines. The vehicle can accommodate a crew of ten members nine soldiers and one driver. The UAE's International Golden Group entered into a venture with BAE System to manufacture the RG31s in the UAE in September 2012. The UAE operates 75 RG31s it procured since 2007. The extensive usage of these types of vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan has kindled interest for them in UAE for the mine and IED protection besides fast mobility features.

The RG31 Mk5E is a heavier and stretched variant of the Mk5 vehicle, and can carry more troops or cargo load.

The Middle East is an important region for us and working with local industry and assisting the UAE defence industry to grow, is our goal, said Johan Steyn, Managing Director, Land Systems South Africa in 2012. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship, serving the UAE and other customers to ensure safety and security for their soldiers.

The Oshkosh trucks which UAE purchased in 2012 are built to provide the same levels of protection as the larger and heavier previous MRAPs but with improved mobility.

"We are pleased to partner with the Al Jaber Group to deliver and support the Oshkosh Global HET vehicle in the UAE," said Serge Buchakjian, Senior Vice President and General Manager of International Programs for Oshkosh Defense in 2012. "We are committed to serving the Middle East region, and our relationship and initial sale to Al Jaber Group will allow Oshkosh vehicles to play an important role in supporting the UAE's Armed Forces programmes."

The UAE has announced at IDEX 2011 the conclusion of an agreement for the modernisation of 135 Russian produced BMP-3 amphibious IFVs in service with the UAE land forces. The $74-million upgrade contract was negotiated with Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

The Russian BMP-3 combat vehicle, which the UAE acquired in 2011 can fire conventional shells and is fitted with a low-velocity 2A70 100 mm rifled gun, a 2A72 30mm dual feed autocannon with 500 rounds and a rate of fire of 350-400RPM, and a 7.62mm PKT machine gun.  According to Kurganmashzavod, all weapons can be fired from the halt, on the move, and afloat with the same effectiveness. The ability to hit targets on the move with missiles was successfully demonstrated during competitive evaluations in the UAE in 1991.

Indigenous Development of Armoured Vehicles in the UAE

With funding from powerful parent companies such as the Mubadala Group and Al Jaber Group, several weapons manufacturers have sprouted in the UAE.

The indigenously developed NIMR 4x4, with about 1,800 vehicles on order for the UAE Armed Forces, is equipped with systems and components so as to beat all the contemporary competitors in this category of vehicles. The NIMR 6x6 (shown) comes in three chassis configurations, with a short, medium or long wheelbase, and is offered in a similar variety of variation models, from single cabins all the way to heavy cargo carriers. The ground clearance and big wheels, equipped with Bin Jabr patented CTIS system enable this vehicle to surpass even the toughest of cross country with great ease. 

Based at capital Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Fujairah manufacturers have set up plants and with the help of joint ventures are successfully exporting their trucks and armoured vehicles to neighbouring countries, such as Algeria, Libya and Jordan.

Establishing local manufacturing units has further advanced UAEs growing defence industry into one of the most advanced in the region.

Al Jaber Group, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is one of the largest diversified groups of companies in the Middle East. Al Jaber Group provides its professional services in its flagship sectors of civilian and industrial construction, infrastructure development, logistics, and defence industry. Al Jaber Group and FNSS of Turkey joined forces in 2011 to capture the potential requirements of the UAE Armed Forces, covering the full scale production of a wheeled armoured vehicle family (WAV) in the UAE as well as its complete logistical support.

The International Golden Group (IGG), according to the company website, is the first UAE-based private joint stock company primarily focused on supplying advanced technology-driven solutions to major security and defence organisations such as the UAE Armed Forces, the Presidential Guard Command, the UAE Ministry of Interior, and Abu Dhabis Critical National Infrastructure Authority. It has extensive experience supporting government agencies in systems integration projects and providing turnkey integrated products and system infrastructures. Among IGGs latest achievements is the finalisation of an AED60 million contract with a European supplier of security systems and related equipment.

Homeland security is today considered both a regional and international priority. ISNR facilitates regional interaction and exposure to UAE-based companies and provides a platform for discussing the ever-changing need for technologies and equipment that can better combat international terrorism, protect national borders and build disaster resilience. Maritime, border and critical infrastructure surveillance, detection and protection technologies, equipment and training will play an important role in enhancing local and regional preparedness and response capabilities and we look forward to sharing our expertise in these areas during the event, said Fadel Saif Al Kaabi, CEO, IGG PJSC.

During ISNR Abu Dhabi 2012, IGG showcased state-of-the-art technologies and equipment for manned and unmanned vehicular platforms; remote and crew-served turreted weapons systems; counter terrorism and emergency response; special task force weapons systems; critical infrastructure surveillance, detection and protection; and general security services.

Mahindra Emirates Vehicle Armouring is based in one of the emirates of the UAE and is a manufacturer of custom AV for variety of applications and is experienced in the fields of engineering, prototyping and manufacturing of armoured cars and other armoured vehicles.

NIMR Automotive, a vehicle manufacturer based in Abu Dhabi, is a subsidiary of Tawazun Holding, an Abu Dhabi-based strategic investment company. The NIMR family of vehicles include 4x4and 6x6 vehicles whose potential applications are tactical missions in harsh environments such as deep infiltration missions, reconnaissance, border surveillance, support logistics and riot control in urban and harsh desert environments.

Mohamed Musabah Al Mazrouei, acting General Manager at Nimr Automotive, said in April 2012, The Union Defence Force has more than 500 vehicles in mixed 4x4 and 6x6 variants, and we have two contracts with the Armed Forces, one is for 1,000 vehicles, the other is for 700 vehicles. Just last month we got another contract from the Ministry of the Interior, which is a separate entity, for 200 more vehicles."

NIRM is developing vehicles to face other environments as it begins targeting other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states as well Europe for its first overseas sales. According to the company, Libya has ordered 57 of the Special Forces version and 60 Station Wagon variants. Algeria has been testing the vehicle and is expected to place an order for unspecific number of vehicles. Other Middle Eastern and North African countries have conducted military trials and are in negotiations of ordering vehicles. There has also been interest from Latin America, West Africa, and the Asian Sub-Continent.

UAE-based Streit Group is a AV manufacturer that cemented its place at the top of the food chain in one region, while expanding into another. The company is working on 6x6 and 8x8 AV variants, e.g. a 7t multi-purpose vehicle designed for six person occupancy that was unveiled at Eurosatory 2012. The JAGUAR is protected against STANAG Level 4 blast.

UAE Armed Forces FOX 2 NBC vehicle.

Joint Ventures

With the help of MoUs and joint ventures (JV) with foreign manufacturers, local companies are able to benefit from the interaction and further develop their skills. Even, export the vehicles to neighbouring countries.

UAE Offsets Rules Favour Local Production

The UAE has worked hard to build its indigenous defence and aerospace industry and has managed to do so by demanding significant technology transfer from international defence companies and joint ventures.

In 2010, new rules were introduced under the UAE Offset Programme Bureau to allow defence companies to get credit for transferring technology and for hiring and training UAE nationals; defence companies are also required to set up JVs in the UAE.

The following year at IDEX 2011, the UAE closed defence contracts worth $4 billion in the land vehicles sector a majority of which went to local firms thus enhancing the defence industry.
In 2011, South African firm Paramount planned to set up a $100 million manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi with IGG.

We see the region investing in peacekeeping activities and vehicles to protect their soldiers during those operations. We expect to sign very big deals this year, said Ivor Ichikowitz, the Executive Chairman of Paramount Group of South Africa.

Paramount expects more than 10 opportunities among countries in the region to sell its vehicles, and anticipated signing $1 billion in deals over the next two years. It showcased its latest vehicle, its MBOMBE 6x6 IFV at the last IDEX. The low-profile armoured vehicle offers better protection against IEDs, the company said.

Other Significant Purchases 

Earlier in 2012, the UAE requested the sale of 48 THAAD missiles and nine launchers, as well as spare parts and training, for a total of $1.135 billion.

The UAE has awarded contracts worth $1.1 billion to local and international defence contractors at IDEX 2011 with the largest of them all going to Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies to upgrade and arm 23 Sikorsky BLACK HAWK UH 60M helicopters in a deal worth $270 million.

In July 2012, the UAE launched its indigenously developed first-ever GHANNATHA class missile patrol boat for the Navy. The Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) was ordered to construct 12 new Missile Boats and retrofit the existing ADSB-built GHANNATHA Phase I troop carriers into gun boats. The UAE Navy is expected to take delivery of the 12 vessels worth $254.5 million by 2014.

UAE Procurement on the Upswing

Arms procurement in the UAE had suffered a downturn since the financial crisis of 2008-09 with several major procurements delayed or cancelled. However, in the last two years, procurement has seen some progress and the future looks to be bright what with the UAE wanting to catch up the fast changing military scenario in its neighbourhood.

The important issue to stress is the fact that UAE has significantly increased its military arsenal in both technical quality and quantity, said Pieter Wezeman, a Senior Researcher at SIPRI's arms transfers programme. The decline in the imports since 2006 cannot be seen as an indication that the UAE is toning down its efforts to build up advanced armed forces with a considerable reach."

If anything, the UAE looks determined to build a credible military. Well-trained, well-equipped and well-motivated, if one were to listen to the words of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of  Dubai:
Though the challenges were immense, manifested in severe shortage of national human resources needed for command, control, planning, organisation and training, the determination to work hard and succeed was the driving force of noble cause. In a short space of time, the UAE managed to build these human resources who are in charge today - resources of all ranks, levels and responsibilities who are highly efficient in command, control, planning, execution and management of high-level weaponry and defence systems, said Sheikh Mohammed, ruler of Dubai, in May 2012.