UAE-based Tawazun Holdings extended its interest in the recently established Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC) with the transfer of a further four companies under control of the joint venture at this year’s International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX).
Having been founded in December with 11 companies including Tawazun Dynamics and Tawazun Precision Industries, EDIC has expanded to include other Tawazun subsidiaries including Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investment (ADASI); Burkan Munition Systems; Caracal International; and Caracal Light Ammunition.
In a company statement, EDIC chairman H.E Al Shemmari said “…as a result of this integration, the defence services industry will benefit from improved alignment, enhanced performance, increased capacity and greater economies of scale, and be better positioned to serve the Armed Forces of the UAE and compete for business in the region”.
Tawazun Dynamics received one of the largest orders from the UAE General Headquarters of the Armed Forces with an AED1.53 billion contract for precision-guided weapons including the Al Tariq family of munitions.
The company was displaying its self-proclaimed “flagship” Al-Tariq family of strap-on munition systems for its 500lb to 2000lb Mk81, Mk82 and Mk83 bombs, which is designed to integrate GPS/INS guidance systems on the weapon systems. This, company spokespersons told Military Technology, would provide users with an all-weather and day/night operational capability. The munition was jointly developed with South African company Denel Dynamics, under their joint venture Tawazun Dynamics.
“Users can optimise target accuracy through Imaging Infrared with complete Automatic Target Recognition capabilities or the semi-active laser seeker. The system can also be fitted with an RF proximity fuse for area targeting, using a pre-fragmented warhead,” a spokesperson said.
With a maximum range of 40km, Al Tariq munitions can have their reach extended yet further with add-on propulsion kits which could allow the bomb to hit targets up to 200km away, dependent on altitude when released.
Elsewhere, Tawazun Holdings subsidiary ADASI described its ongoing Al Sabr initiative, first launched in 2003 to support UAE Armed Forces requirements for UAS intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in collaboration with the Austrian government.
ADASI and the UAE Armed Forces have devised a concept of operation comprising two Schiebel S-100 Camcopter UAV airframes and two ground control stations as well as transport vehicles. The capability provides full motion video EO/IR feeds with a radius of 180km and ability to remain airborne for up to 10 hours, according to an ADASI spokesperson.
“The Al Sabr system is highly versatile and can be modified to perform a wide scope of activities, such as surveillance and reconnaissance missions, radio and data relay, border security, critical infrastructure monitoring and artillery support. It can also be adapted to operate from different locations such as a fixed central operations centre or from a ship,” the spokesperson continued.