International Armored Group (IAG) has launched a 35,000m2 manufacturing facility in Ras Al Khaimah free trade zone (RAK FTZ).
The facility will deliver a production capacity of 150 armoured vehicles a month – an increaes of 40% on the pre-existing production volume.
The plant, complete with dedicated factories for ballistic glass and ballistic steel laser cutting was inaugurated by HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who hailed IAG as a RAK success story and a serious contributor to the emirate’s economy.
Dr Anton Stefov, president and CEO of IAG, noted: “We see great demand for superior quality and high performance armoured vehicles both regionally and globally. In order to meet these increasing demands, we decided to strategically shift into bigger and more efficient manufacturing facility.”
According to reports from the defence industry, top-line defence spending in the Middle East and North Africa, led by Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, is expected to top $120bn per year by 2016.
IAG first launched a decade ago in RAK FTZ with a relatively modest operation. Prior to the launch of the new facility its separate manufacturing processes had been dispersed to a number of separate facilities that the new operation has now brought back into a single nucleated facility.
Ramy Jallad, acting CEO of RAK FTZ, commented: “This inauguration characterises the company’s incredible journey in the free zone’s business-friendly environment. Our clients’ success is also our success, and we are very proud to be a part of IAG’s achievements over the years.”
On top of its ballistic glass and steel factories, the facility will also be carrying out the OEM chassis disassembling, suspension systems upgrades, testing, training and has a sheltered stock area for 600 armoured vehicles.
At the opening, IAG also showcased the Guardian Extreme, a customizable 12 military personnel carrier with B7 ballistic and blast resistance, and a custom engineered armoured water cannon vehicle for firefighting and riot control.
IAG’s clientele includes the US Military, NATO, government and non-government organisations, law and peace enforcement agencies, oil and gas organisations, banking operations and even celebrities.
