The Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Defense Technology (EDT) is targeting sales of its new 8x8 armoured vehicle to armed forces in the UAE and the wider region after trials this summer, said the company’s chief executive, Mohamed Al Suwaidi.
The prototype of Enigma, as the firm’s 8x8 armoured vehicle is called, was unveiled yesterday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, at the International Defence and Security Exhibition (Idex), which is taking place in the capital all this week.
EDT – a privately held, Emirati-owned defence contractor and manufacturer – is the first firm to design an 8x8 armoured vehicle in the UAE.
“Obviously our prime focus is the UAE, but from the get-go we have always looked at how it is exportable, how will it meet the requirements of other armies,” said Mr Al Suwaidi. “We are completely open for other markets that would be interested.”
EDT, which financed the vehicle's production, plans to send the Enigma prototype for summer trials with the UAE military, after which it will start manufacturing the vehicle in the Musaffah industrial area. It took the company two years to build the prototype after it was given the go-ahead from Sheikh Mohammed at Idex two years ago.
The Enigma is designed to be compatible with a variety of weapons systems, including a variant of the M777 howitzer.
“We want to build this vehicle specially for our military, especially for their requirements and build it exactly around what they want, as opposed to something off the shelf being built by someone,” said Mr Al Suwaidi.
This is not the first time that EDT has manufactured armoured vehicles in the UAE. They were the original manufacturers of the NIMR 4x4 and 6x6 armoured vehicles.
The firm is talking to defence companies to manufacture the weapons to be mounted on top of the Enigma.
“You can change the weapon system on top. We have manufacturing licence agreements with different companies to design, develop and manufacture the armour here in the UAE as a UAE product,” said Mr Al Suwaidi, without naming the companies.
The firm, which started off as a military contractor and is currently also a supplier to the UAE military, has big ambitions.
“EDT will have a good mix between both design development and engineering, and trading,” said Mr Al Suwaidi. “Design, development and engineering is going to be our major focus because I believe the future of this country will depend on having a high-tech service/system integrations focus.
“It is a knowledge-based industry and that is what we want to focus on, as opposed to hiring hundreds of labourers to come and manufacture. With innovation and a good-quality product comes profits.”
dalsaadi@thenational.ae
Follow The National's Business section on Twitter
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
The years Ramadan fell in May
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Read more about the coronavirus
The years Ramadan fell in May
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on animal trafficking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The five pillars of Islam
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
