At IDEX 2023, GM Defense inks partnership 'expanding... reach' in Middle East

230221_GM_Defense_booth_Ferran — 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.

PHOTOS: IDEX 2023

PHOTOS: IDEX 2023

Armaments are on display at the Chine Defence booth at NAVDEX 2023, IDEX's sister show. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

Just yards from the Rusian pavilion, an American soldier shows a spectator how to aim a Javelin at IDEX 2023. (Ashley Roque / Breaking Defense)

The UAE firm Milanion makes this small, eight-wheeled mobile launcher, on display at IDEX 2023. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

A model of a mobile missile launcher is on display at China's Norinco booth at IDEX 2023.

Protective gear, seen here by UAE firm Ajwa, is also a popular item for some of the smaller defense contractors in attendance at IDEX 2023. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

An unmanned large helicopter is among the many displays for the UAE defense conglomerate EDGE Group at IDEX 2023. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

As part of its high-energy laser pitch to international customers at IDEX 2023, Lockheed Martin displayed this quad-copter apparently taken out by a laser weapon. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

A shoulder-fired weapon, called Red Arrow, on display at the booth for the Chinese firm Norinco at IDEX 2023. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

A warship built by Albwardy Damen, a joint venture between Albwardy Investment, Dubai and the Damen Shipyards Group, the Netherlands, floats calmly at NAVDEX 2023. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

At IDEX 2023, an Egytpian firm debuts what it says is a C5ISR platform that can talk to both eastern and western systems. (Agnes Helou / Breaking Defense)

Collins Aerospace unveiled a new drone design at IDEX 2023. (Agnes Helou / Breaking Defense)

EDGE Group, a large Emerati defense conglomerate, shows an intimidating unmanned aerial vehicle in a prime spot on the show floor at IDEX 2023. (Agnes Helou / Breaking Defense)

Abu Dhabi's own Blue Cat boat sits on display near, but not in, the water at NAVDEX 2023. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

French firm Nexter showed out at IDEX 2023, including showing a handful of its mobile artillery options. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

A spectator checks out a sniper rifle at the EDGE pavilion at IDEX 2023. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)

Turkish Aerospace's Anka drone, spotted here at IDEX 2023, can fly for 30-plus hours at around 20,000 feet, the company says. (Lee Ferran / Breaking Defense)