Abu Dhabi, UAE; 11 September 2012 - Tawazun Holding's armored vehicle manufacturer, Nimr Automotive, has announced that it has been issued the prestigious 'STANAG 4569 Level 3' certification by an independent testing authority for its newest vehicle, the Nimr 6x6 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). The certification is based on standards set forth by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Standardization Agreement.

Armored vehicles are deployed across a number of terrains globally and this has led to NATO issuing a classification system that is understood at an international level. The  'STANAG 4569 specification Protection Level for Occupants of Logistics and Light Armored Vehicles' is used to classify lightweight protection against common threats used against military forces. The threats are categorized by level (1 to 5), depending on extent of the danger that the vehicle and its passengers are expected to encounter.

With this newly acquired certificate, Nimr is now able to produce 6x6 vehicles that have Level 3 mine and ballistic defense solutions for optimum terrain performance, as defined by NATO. It is the first time that a 6x6 armored personnel carrier created in the Middle East region has achieved such status.

Nimr APC vehicles are 100% designed, manufactured and assembled in the UAE and are built to withstand extreme conditions. These customizable, interoperable platforms, offering transport solutions for a wide range of combat and non-combat scenarios, are steadily building an international reputation for high quality and flexibility. Nimr's vehicles are designed to be employed in different situational scenarios, including as an armament carrier, logistics vehicle, ambulance, or a mobile Command and Control center. Today, the company is supplying a number of government defense forces around the world with these innovative vehicles.

H.E. Saif M. Al Hajeri, CEO of Tawazun Holding, said: "This certification marks a defining moment in the history of Nimr, and indeed for Tawazun Holding, to date. It is recognition of innovation, engineering and overall quality, and a further sign that UAE-made products are becoming recognized by the international defense industry."

H.E. continues: "The STANAG 4569 Level 3 certification is notoriously difficult to obtain and so we are quietly proud that it has been awarded to the Nimr 6x6 APC. It will further enhance the growing reputation of a locally-made product that is already driving customer enquiries from all over the globe. In turn and over time, this will help us to keep contributing to the growing industrial backbone of the UAE and the creation of sustainable skilled employment opportunities for its people."

The STANAG 4569 Nimr 6x6 APC Level 3 (3a and 3b) will be a hybrid version of the existing standard Nimr 6x6 model and will be offered in several versions such as an armored personnel carrier, an armored ambulance and as a shelter carrier.

Hamad Al Neyadi, Chairman of Nimr Automotive, commented: "This recognition based on NATO's standards will give our local, regional and global customers confidence that they are buying an armored personnel carrier that meets the highest international standards for its product class that is able to withstand and protect occupants from high mine or ballistic threats. We believe it will stimulate further interest in Nimr and its vehicles from both existing and new customers from a number of geographic markets."

Al Neyadi confirmed that the STANAG 4569 Level 3 Nimr 6x6 APC will be unveiled for the first time ever at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) taking place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from February 17-21 2013.

-Ends-

About Tawazun Holding
Tawazun Holding is a strategic investment firm focused on the long-term development of UAE's industrial manufacturing and technology capabilities and knowledge-transfer with a specific focus on the defense sector.

Established in 2007 as a fully owned subsidiary of Tawazun Economic Council, Tawazun Holding's mission is to develop profitable ventures through industrial partnerships and strategic investments that add to the country's industrial manufacturing layer in the areas of defense, defense manufacturing and manufacturing technology.

About Nimr Automotive
Nimr Automotive is a defense vehicle manufacturer providing a portfolio of products to address the various needs of armed forces and internal security organizations around the world. It develops and produces customizable, interoperable platforms, offering transport solutions for a wide range of combat and non-combat scenarios.

Nimr's multi-purpose vehicles have a wide spectrum of applications ranging from tactical missions in harsh arid environments to modern urban warfare, deep infiltration missions, reconnaissance, border surveillance, support logistics and riot control. Nimr vehicles can be employed in different situational scenarios, including as an armament carrier, logistics vehicle, ambulance, or a mobile Command and Control center.

All of Nimr's vehicles are designed, manufactured and assembled in the UAE by UAE nationals. 'Nimr' is the Arabic word for 'tiger'.

For more information please contact:
Saif Ali Al Marzooqi
Associate Director - Corporate Communications
Tel: +971 2 5069911     
Email: salmarzooqi@tawazun.ae

© Press Release 2012