Joint venture puts Jordan on track as ‘leading defence exporter’

AMMAN — King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) and Paramount Group, Africa’s largest defence and aerospace business, have partnered to produce an array of defence products and solutions. 

Paramount’s Executive Chairman Ivor Ichikowitz told The Jordan Times Tuesday that the two sides have agreed to establish a joint venture and “soon” set up in Jordan facilities to manufacture armoured vehicles and aircraft with latest defence technologies.

They will produce Combat Vehicle, Mbombe, and a range of aerospace solutions comprising the modernisation and upgrading capability of Hawk fighter aircraft, Mi 17 and Mi 24 Russian helicopters and the Super Puma, Ichikowitz said on the sidelines of the 10th Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX) 2014, which was opened the same day.

“This is a major strategic venture… The idea is to make Jordan an exporter of defence technologies, especially since the country has a great pool of talented human resources and solid experience,” the top executive said.

Production of armoured vehicles, some types of defence aircraft, and defence products and equipment will start in the next 12 to 13 months in Jordan, he added.

The new entity the two sides started has been named the Arabian Defence Industries (ADI).

“The venture seeks to meet the regional needs for such vehicles and aircraft, especially the Mbombe… Jordan will be exporting these vehicles and others, a project that will create scores of jobs for talented Jordanians,” he explained.

Ahmad A. Sallakh, chief executive officer of the KADDB Investment Group (KIG), stressed the importance of the deal for Jordan.

“The venture will significantly benefit Jordan and will utilise latest equipment and know-how of KADDB in this regard,” he said.

“It will greatly enhance Jordan’s capabilities in the defence field and make Jordan a power house in this regard,” Sallakh told The Jordan Times Tuesday.

In a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times, Shadi Ramzi Majali, chairman of KIG, said: “ADI brings together leaders in defence and aerospace innovation in a strong and unique partnership which will deliver world-class technologies and solutions, from the latest in armoured vehicle technologies to sophisticated aerospace technologies, including modernisation and upgrade capabilities of fighter and rotary wing aircraft for the specific requirements of defence forces in the region.”

According to the partners, ADI will present a wide range of defence technologies to the world’s markets.  The venture will also integrate KIG’s products in Paramount’s vehicles. These include Stallion II, the Dawsar 8x8 multi-purpose platform, Self-Propelled 105mm Gun, remote weapon station and the Pan-Tilt platform.