ABU DHABI, 22nd June, 2022 (WAM) — Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP) and Nexter have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct a world-class centre for the testing and qualification of munitions, weapons systems, and vehicles under international standards.
Through this collaborative endeavour, Nexter hopes to fulfil a Tawazun Economic Programme obligation while enhancing national capabilities.
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the two-day “Make it in the Emirates” Forum, organised in Abu Dhabi by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council (Tawazun), and a number of senior officials attended the signing.
Faiz Saleh Al Nahdi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TIP, and Dominique Morisset, Nexter’s Regional Director in Abu Dhabi, signed the MoU.
Al Nahdi said the MoU comes as part of TIP’s commitment to enabling the UAE’s defence and security industry and is in keeping with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s “Operation 300bn” strategy.
“TIP Testing and Qualification Centre, in collaboration with Nexter as its technical partner, will give the country a sovereign capability that is unique in the region, offering complete certifications in accordance with a variety of international standards,” he added.
The centre will equip the UAE with the ability to conduct Service Life Surveillance on a local level, overcoming any logistical hurdles, increasing exports and promoting the country as a centre of excellence in both R&D and manufacturing in the defence and security industries.
Al Nahdi said the centre would initially serve TIP’s strategic partners, including the Ministry of Defence, the UAE Armed Forces, the Tawazun Acquisition Management Unit, and other industrial companies.
Dominique Morisset remarked, “We are proud to enter this strategic relationship with TIP, an important resource for the defence and security industries, to create the Testing and Qualification facility in Abu Dhabi.”
He said that the project will help the UAE become a hub for advanced and highly qualified defence and security businesses, as well as a strong presence in global markets.
Morisset explained that the project is part of the company’s commitments due to its participation in the Tawazun Economic Programme. He emphasised that the project reflects the depth of Tawazun and Nexter’s strong partnership, as well as the company’s desire to continue supporting the defence and security sectors.