UAE-based CARACAL is in active discussions with various state security forces to provide a range of small arms, including the advanced CMP 9 submachine gun, CARACAL EF pistol, and sniper rifles.

During an interview, CARACAL?s CEO, Hamad Al Ameri, confirmed that their Indian partner, ICOMM, will oversee the complete production of small arms. This encompasses the versatile CARACAL EF pistol, modern CMP 9 submachine gun, CAR 814, CAR 816, CAR 817 tactical rifles, CSR 308 bolt-action sniper rifles, CSA 338 semi-automatic sniper rifle, CSR 338, CSR 50 anti-material sniper rifle, and CAR 817 DMR tactical sniper rifle.

ICOMM, an Indian firm, has joined forces with UAE?s CARACAL to facilitate local small arms manufacturing in India. This collaboration, which began earlier this year during IDEX 2023 in Abu Dhabi, marks the first-ever technology transfer for defence articles from the UAE to India. Under the 'Make in India' and 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat' initiatives, ICOMM, a subsidiary of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures (MEIL), will produce CARACAL?s entire line of small arms for the Indian market.

ICOMM's design, development, and manufacturing centre in Hyderabad is one of the largest companies engaged in the production of missiles, sub-systems, communications, EW systems, radars, electro-optics, composites, loitering munitions, shelters, drones, and counter-drone systems.

CARACAL, with a significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region, has been actively establishing partnerships. In 2022, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India?s ICOMM, followed by a licensing agreement at IDEX 2023. Additionally, in 2021, CARACAL entered into an Industrial Cooperation Agreement with Indonesia?s PT Pindad to co-produce the CAR 816 for the Indonesian market, with PT Pindad supplying barrels and other components.

The close proximity of CARACAL's location in the United Arab Emirates to the Indian market enables swift after-sales service, a crucial factor in the success of CARACAL products. Competitive pricing, as emphasised by Hamad Al Ameri, the CEO of CARACAL, further enhances the appeal of their offerings.

Source: The Financial Express