BAE Systems South Africa, International Golden Group team for Middle East market

BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa has announced that it has signed a teaming agreement with International Golden Group (IGG) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement will see the companies build on their relationship to serve the UAE and Middle East markets.

BAE Systems secured a contract with IGG in 2011 for the RG-31 Agrab Mk2 Mobile Mortar Platform (MMP) mine protected vehicles.

BAE Systems South Africa has secured contracts in the UAE in the past, with the Special Operations Command operating RG-31 Mk5 command vehicles, and security forces in Dubai also have several RG12 vehicles in service.

According to the company, IGG is the first UAE-based private joint stock company primarily focused on supplying advanced technology-driven solutions to major security and defence organisations such as the UAE Armed Forces, the Presidential Guard Command, the UAE Ministry of Interior, and Abu Dhabi’s Critical National Infrastructure Authority. It has extensive experience supporting government agencies in systems integration projects and providing turnkey integrated products and system infrastructures. IGG also has the capability of in-service support within the UAE and in theatre.

Fadel Al Kaabi, chief executive officer of IGG, said: ‘We have worked with BAE Systems’ Land Systems South Africa business for many years as a prime contractor for, most recently, the MMP contract. We are looking forward to a long and successful future providing combat proven mine and armoured protected systems to forces in the Middle East.’