IDEX, Abu Dhabi, 24th February, 2015

MBDA and NIMR Automotive LLC, a light-medium weight military vehicle manufacturer based in Abu Dhabi, UAE and part of the Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), an integrated national defence and services manufacturing platform, have entered into a commercial partnership to address a requirement of the Emirates Defense Forces for a high efficiency V-SHORAD air defense system.

The new HAFEET ADV proposed by the two companies features the MBDA MPCS (Multi Purpose Combat System including a turret, sensors, IFF, Mistral missiles, command & firing posts and shelter equipment) that would be installed on NIMR's latest HAFEET 640A all-terrain light armored vehicle platform.

The combination of the MPCS equipped with MBDA's latest generation Mistral missiles and of the NIMR vehicle would provide an unmatched mobile air defense capability allowing protection of convoys, armored brigades in their maneuvers as well as any land infrastructure or assets.

The two companies have already completed preliminary engineering studies and are in the stage of integrating the full system if ordered. Most of the HAFEET ADV components already exist and are modular.  

Already in service in several forces in the world, the MPCS turret comprises a gyro-stabilized day/thermal sensor suite with integrated laser rangefinder. With four ready-to-fire, fire and forget, IR Mistral missiles, the HAFEET ADV enables the interception of a large spectrum of threats (high maneuvering fighters, combat helicopters, UAV, UCAV, cruise missiles)  at ranges exceeding 6 km and altitudes up to 5,000 m.

NIMR CEO Dr Fahad Saif Harhara stated: "The HAFEET ADV concept is based on NIMR 6x6 tactical platform which combines high levels of mobility and protection to provide a multi-role platform for a broad spectrum of mission requirements".

The MPCS system allows for low crew workload and short reaction time to provide Air Defense Forces with an outstanding high fire power against stressing attacks: a unit of six HAFEET ADVs can engage up to 24 different targets coming from any direction in less than 20 seconds with a reload capability of 48 Mistral missiles (8 additional Mistral missiles inside the HAFEET ADV shelter).

The HAFEET ADV can be operated in autonomous mode or in coordinated mode with MBDA's latest generation of MCP (Mistral Coordination Post) equipped with 3D radar.

HAFEET ADV can be operated by a two or three man crew including a team leader and is air transportable.

-Ends-

About NIMR
NIMR, a subsidiary of the Emirates Defence Industry Company (EDIC) delivers highly capable wheeled military vehicles that are designed for the harshest environments, across a diverse scope of mission requirements. NIMR's range of desert-proven 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles are available in armoured or non-armoured configurations, with modular configurable crew capacity and payload, where protection and mobility is the focus of our design activities.

Through engineering innovation, comprehensive testing and implementation of the highest standards in design and manufacturing NIMR provides exceptional vehicle reliability and best-in-class desert performance to ensure the protection of the vehicle crews that use them.

For more about NIMR, visit our two IDEX stands (Indoor 05-A10, Outdoor CP400) orat www.nimr.com.

About Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC)
EDIC is the region's premier integrated national defence services and manufacturing platform, providing world-class facilities, technology and support services. Based in the UAE, the company brings together the combined capabilities of the UAE's defence industries into a single integrated platform to enhance value for our clients, shareholders, partners and other stakeholders.

About MBDA
With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2013 MBDA achieved a turnover of 2.8 billion euros with an order book of 10.8 billion euros. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world,  MBDA is a  world leader  in missiles and missile systems.

MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.

MBDA is jointly held by AIRBUS Group (37.5%), BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), and FINMECCANICA (25%).

Press contacts:
MBDA    
Media Relations Manager     
Karen Pachot 
Phone: +33 (0)1 71 54 18 17 
Mobile: +33 (0)6 74 10 57 62 
karen.pachot@mbda-systems.com 
                                                                                                         
NIMR
Sales Communications Manager
Oliver Cribben-Pearse
Phone: +971 (0)2 492 7538
Mobile: +971 (0) 56 420 9502
opearse@nimr.ae

© Press Release 2015