UAE’s Caracal has huge growth potential

The company has signed a deal with the UAE Armed Forces for 80,000 assault rifles

The UAE firearms manufacturer Caracal International, which recently signed a deal with the UAE Armed Forces to provide 80,000 modern assault rifles, sees the demand increasing for its products in the coming years.

A subsidiary of Tawazun Holding, the company is based in Abu Dhabi and is known for manufacturing sniper rifles and other lighter weapons catering to civilian, military, law enforcement and sporting markets.

“The potential is unlimited in the next five years with the support we have in the UAE and the Middle East. Our priority is the local market to fulfil the requirements of the army and the ministry of interior but we also export 30 per cent of our products to countries in the Middle East and North Africa,” said Hamad Salem Al Ameri, chief executive officer of Caracal. “Demand has been growing steadily every year by 15 per cent. We expect it to continue in the coming years and grow higher and higher.”

He did not disclose details about the company’s annual production but said that it depends on the demand.

The deal to supply 80,000 modern CAR 816 assault rifles to the UAE Armed Forces was worth Dh763 million. “Some of that investment goes into new machines, new facilities and developing new technology,” Al Ameri said.

He added that the company makes modern assault rifles that also use Kalashnikov ammunition. The company has been recently integrated into Emirates Defence Industries Company along with a number of UAEbased defence companies.

Abdul Rahman/Gulf News Successful conclusion A general view of the Idex on its concluding day yesterday. Organisers said that about 50 per cent of the space for the next Idex has already been reserved.

Abdul Rahman/Gulf News Targeting growth Hamad Salem Al Ameri demonstrates the Caracal assault rifle at the company’s pavilion yesterday. The company exports 30% of its products to countries in the Middle East.