Abu Dhabi-based Nimr Automotive, a subsidiary of Tawazun Holding, is currently exhibiting at the 11th Annual International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) conference and exhibition being held at FIVE, Farnborough, UK (20th to 23rd Feb 2012). The first ever UAE company to appear at International Armoured Vehicles, Nimr develops and manufactures a wide range of interoperable defence vehicles that feature high power delivery, high mobility, high versatility and high protection levels.
These multi mission vehicles are designed and manufactured for applications that range from tactical missions in harsh environments, such as arid deserts, to modern urban warfare, deep infiltration missions, reconnaissance, border surveillance, and support logistics. Depending on the configuration required by the customer, they can perform a variety of roles, including armament or personnel carrier, logistics vehicle, ambulance, and Command and Control vehicle.
Under a Memorandum of Agreement between Nimr and DRS Technologies, part of the Finmeccanica Group, DRS Technologies, is equipping Nimr vehicles with tactical vehicle electronics, electro-optics, vehicle power management and tactical communications. This combination of Nimr’s vehicle engineering capacity and DRS Technologies’ systems and integration skills can equip these vehicles to deliver world class C4ISTAR solutions, including battle management, close-in situational awareness, reconnaissance and surveillance, and secure vehicle and tactical communications. In partnership with other Finmeccanica businesses, DRS can also integrate highly effective electronic countermeasures against the IED threat as well as a range of stabilised overhead weapon systems capable of meeting most of the operational scenarios the vehicles are likely to encounter.
On display at International Armoured Vehicles is the Armoured Patrol Vehicle – 6×6 (pictured) fitted with systems provided by DRS and its sister companies Oto Melara and Selex Elsag.
Speaking at the International Armoured Vehicles conference, Hamad Al Neyadi, Chief Strategic Officer of Tawazun and Chairman of Nimr Automotive, drew attention to the vision of Nimr which is to establish a globally recognised and sustainable defence automotive business, contributing to the diversification of the UAE economy and enhancing local skills and experience. Full production, assembly and quality management facilities are being installed at Nimr’s Abu Dhabi plant and comprehensive lifecycle management capabilities are already in place.
To date, over 509 Nimr vehicles have been delivered, including both the 4×4 and 6×6 versions, and an order book of 1800 plus.