Defense conglomerates from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have reached an agreement on the production of the UAE-developed Jais 4×4 vehicle in Saudi Arabia.
UAE wheeled military vehicle manufacturer NIMR, which is part of EDGE Group, and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) have laid a foundation for a long-term joint venture between the two entities. The agreement will see NIMR license technology to the kingdom to enable local manufacture of the Jais vehicle.
Jais is a mine resistant, ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle, which has been selected for production in Saudi Arabia after taking part in trials arranged by SAMI and military experts in Saudi Arabia. The performance of the platform in the trials paved the way for new opportunities for the vehicle in Saudi Arabia.
NIMR and SAMI inked the deal on the sidelines of the ongoing International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2021) that runs until February 25.
“Fostering strategic relationships is a key pillar of EDGE’s strategy, and we look forward to building on this commitment with our colleagues at SAMI. This agreement represents the first military collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the UAE and is a major step in boosting the already robust relations between our respective nations,” Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and managing director of EDGE, said.
The number of the vehicles that are to be produced in Saudi Arabia and the potential value of the deal are yet to be revealed.
