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2017-02-16

EDIC Bringing together key strategic assets under one umbrella

AT IDEX 2017, EDIC highlights its dominant role in the nation’s defense industry

Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC) is the region’s premier integrated national defence services and manufacturing platform, providing world-class facilities, technology and support services. In an interview with Nation Shield, Fahad Al Mheiri, Director, Business Development explains how EDIC brings together the combined capabilities of the UAE’s defence industries into a single integrated platform to enhance value for clients, shareholders, partners and other stakeholders.

EDIC was established in 2014 from the integration of assets owned by Mubadala Development Company, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Investments Group. How is this integration supporting the growth of the defense sector?

With the vision and wisdom of our country’s great leadership the vision of EDIC saw acceptance in 2014. EDIC’s mission thus started, the establishment of a corporate structure rose to bring together the defense assets established by Mubadala Development Company, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Investments Group. The integration is an ongoing process, and already we have seen the creation of value through the strategic alignment of our capabilities across our assets. We will be the leading integrated defense industries platform for the UAE, and we aspire to be recognized globally as the region’s premier partner for manufacturing, services, and technology development.
Solidifying our strategic alignment to the needs of the UAE Armed Forces and enhancing collaboration among our companies through shared services reap economies of scale, all to the benefit of our Armed forces. The integration of the assets, has enabled us to integrate minds and capabilities, cross functionality which is a great capability within EDIC, and through our structure we are able to balance our relationships with OEMs, and focus on increasing the transfer of technology and know-how, all to support the needs of the UAE Armed Forces, and provide them with better value through our support, products, and services.

Who are the main customers of Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre(AMMROC)?

AMMROC with the support of leading aerospace companies and unique partnerships have quickly established its credentials as a key aviation MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul)partner for the region providing maintenance service and support to meet the ever-changing needs of military operators. Today AMMROC is the sole provider of Performance Based Logistics to the UAE Air Force & Air Defence (AFAD). With their engineering capabilities, industry leadership and innovation, they ensure the highest levels of aircraft readiness, and safety for our customers, allowing them to focus on their core area of operations. With the establishment of their new facility in Al Ain AMMROC seeks to grow its capabilities allowing it to excel into a Center of Excellence for military aviation services.

How does your subsidiary Al Taif Technical Services which is working closely with UAE Armed Forces strengthen defense operations?

Al Taif Technical Services is a leader in providing integrated life-cycle support of defense systems to the UAE Armed Forces. The company is all set to increase efficiency of their MRO capabilities supported by an integrated supply chain, in-house engineering capabilities to support the UAE Armed forces ground fleet from tracked, wheeled vehicles, and other mobile systems. With the capabilities available, Al Taif provides futuristic technical training from virtual reality to augmented reality workshops as well as hands on training to the UAE Cadets going through their military service training. This experience and future capabilities of these engineers support our ground forces and ensure technical readiness dependability and availability of parts and services to better cope with today’s tactical ground operations, through the provision of in house engineered solutions without inflation of cost.

Bayanat is a national leader in the provision of mapping, surveying and geospatial services. What range of sectors does it service?

Bayanat is a national leader in the provision of value-added mapping, geospatial services and GIS solution. We are aspiring to further enrich its leadership position by enabling public and private organizations to streamline their operations and enhance their decision-making process through leveraging our fully integrated geospatial solutions and seamless spatial data. We are now aiming to provide our list of services at competitive rates to all government sectors. Bayanat provides end-to-end geospatial services for a range of businesses across diverse sectors including defence, municipality, oil and gas, transportation and utilities. Bayanat value offering includes surveying (aerial, hydrographic, field & geodesy), spatial data management, cartography and visualization (2D & 3D) and relevant advisory services.

The highly specialized small arms maker Caracal has added one more feather to your cap. What is its product portfolio?

Caracal International has seen significant growth in the last year. As a small arms manufacturer that develops and produces a wide range of modern firearms, Caracal produces pistols, sub machine guns, assault rifles and sniper rifles. With fully integrated vertical capabilities that include research and development, component manufacturing, product validation, global supply chain and assembly, little stands in the way for Caracal to grow its portfolio even further as was showcased in the 2016 Abu Dhabi Equestrian and hunting exhibition. Caracal also carries out turnkey weapon maintenance services, and provides basic and advanced tactical shooting training.

Horizon International Flight Academy has already established itself as the leading flight training center in the GCC? Do you also train personnel from other countries in the Middle East and has it helped produce local Emirati talent?

Yes, Horizon International Flight Academy, the only such academy in the region offers standard and bespoke helicopter training solutions to commercial and military customers in the Middle East as well as South Asia, and North Africa, with over 900 pilots having already graduated from the Academy through the use of its fleet of helicopters and flight simulators, the academy is a recognized and approved training academy by the General Civil Aviation Authority. Aligned with Abu Dhabi’s vision to create a sustainable and diverse, knowledge-based economy for Emirati nationals, Horizon is committed to setting new quality standards for the next generation of international, regional and Emirati pilots.

What special features would you display at the IDEX this time?

EDIC, through its strategic partnership with IDEX 2017, will emphasize its leading role in the nation’s defense industry and highlight its contribution to the latest developments in defence technology. EDIC will showcase the best-in-class technologies, machinery and equipment by its group companies, each a leading specialist in local and international markets.

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