QinetiQ has entered into a joint venture with Middle East General Enterprises (MGE) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to manufacture aerial and maritime targets for testing, evaluation and training purposes.
The joint venture will invest heavily in UAE to cultivate specialist engineering and manufacturing capabilities, while drawing from the nation’s wellspring of established and emerging talent.
According to QinetiQ, the newly minted joint venture will look to satisfy wider local and regional demand for service training, in addition to the requirements associated. Products to be manufactured include the Banshee aerial target and the Hammerhead fast attack craft maritime target.
There will also be an opportunity to roll-out these targets within the Middle East and other international markets.
“This is an important step for QinetiQ as we look to continue to implement our international growth strategy and leverage our world class capabilities,” Iain Farley, Managing Director – International at QinetiQ.
“The Joint Venture builds on the success we have already had providing targets to the UAE Naval Forces and Abu Dhabi Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority for the acceptance testing of new and in-service vessels.
“Working with MGE to establish an in country presence allows us to better support the UAE in growing its own capabilities. MGE is a specialist in Aerospace & Defence, Supply Chain Logistics, Retail, and Real Estate & Investments, and is a partner we are delighted to be working with.
“I look forward to realising what our combined expertise can offer the UAE in support of future defence capabilities.”
Meanwhile, Saeed Ghanim – Vice Chairman at MGE – had this to say: “We are proud to partner with QinetiQ on the aerial and maritime targets Joint Venture, to deliver sustained local capability in support of our country.
“We particularly welcome this opportunity to transfer knowledge and new technologies into the UAE. We look forward to expanding this into other equipment and services in due course.”
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