GM Defense shows off two of its newest vehicles at the IDEX 2023 defense expo in Abu Dhabi. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)
IDEX 2023 — America’s GM Defense and the United Arab Emirate’s Tawazun Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today as the “first step” in developing “advanced mobility and power solutions” together, the US company announced.
The duo inked the MOU on the second day of the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, and it marks GM Defense’s first partnership in the Middle East.
“Our collaboration with Tawazun Council is an important step in expanding our reach to defense and government customers in the Middle East,” GM Defense president Steve duMont said in the press release. “With this MOU in place, we can more effectively help our global customers transition to a more electric, autonomous and connected future.”
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The Tawazun Council oversees the United Arab Emirates defense and security acquisitions authority for the ministry of Defense, armed forces and security agencies.
GM Defense said the MOU is a part of its strategic plan to expand its footprint in the region and includes opportunities related to cooperative research and development, regional production and assembly, and post-production support and global logistics. When it comes to key technology areas or interest, the deal centers around integrated vehicles, power and propulsion (including fuel cell and power generation), and autonomy and connectivity.
Back in the US, the company is currently producing the US Army’s new Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and is investing in a host of technologies like hydrogen fuel cells and autonomy. While it did not disclose more specific plans for the Middle East it is displaying a five-seater ISV at IDEX along with a hybrid-electric next-generation light tactical wheeled vehicle.
“Today’s agreement marks an important, new relationship that further strengthens our nation’s domestic defense industrial base while offering new opportunities for an expanding technology development and supply partnership with GM Defense,” said Tawazun Council’s CEO Shareef Al Hashmi.
