Abu Dhabi, UAE – EDGE entity NIMR, a leading manufacturer of light and medium military vehicles, and John Cockerill Defense today announced the signing of a Teaming Agreement to jointly explore opportunities for the development and marketing of the innovative Cockerill i-X.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the NIMR Board and Thierry Renaudin, CEO of John Cockerill Defense, in the presence of Abri du Plessis, CEO of NIMR, and several other dignitaries, during a ceremony held at IDEX.

Following the successful launch of the Cockerill i-X in 2022, John Cockerill Defense has completed a series of mobility and live fire trails with the prototype vehicle that is present on the John Cockerill Defense stand, Hall 12, Stand B14, at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2023).

During the tests, the Cockerill i-X achieved impressive results in terms of speed of movement on off-road surfaces, stability of the vehicle during firing, firing accuracy, and firepower. Owing to its very encouraging results, the Cockerill i-X has generated a strong international demand. The agreement between John Cockerill Defense and NIMR will enable the two parties to establish a joint proposal to respond to this demand in the best possible way.

Under the terms of the Teaming Agreement, John Cockerill Defense and NIMR will collaborate exclusively on the next phase, defining a common approach to bring the Cockerill i-X to the market, with John Cockerill Defense’s experience in lethality solutions and NIMR’s experience in mobility solutions being combined to accelerate the process. 

Abri du Plessis, CEO of NIMR, said: “We are delighted to enter this Teaming Agreement with John Cockerill which lays the foundation for collectively strengthening our capabilities and meeting the demand for the Cockerill i-X in key target markets. The Cockerill i-X has performed exceptionally well in a series of trials and tests, demonstrating high speeds on and off-road and technologically-advanced weapon systems. Fostering strategic partnerships is a core priority for EDGE and NIMR, and negotiations will continue to iron out a potential joint venture arrangement in due course.”

Thierry Renaudin, CEO of John Cockerill Defense, said: “We at John Cockerill are enthusiastic to begin working with NIMR.  They have shown themselves to be fully committed to the development and production of combat-proven military vehicles.  Our joint knowledge and experience will enable us to make the Cockerill i-X the weapon system of the future that will best meet the needs of international armed forces. I look forward to our two companies working together on this exciting project.”

The Cockerill i-X Interceptor vehicle is a fusion of our technical excellence of weapon systems and extensive experience in the field of rally raid.

This highly mobile vehicle, combined with the proven firepower of the 25mm as well as advanced artificial intelligence, is an innovative break with traditional concepts and pushes the defense operations limits to new horizon.

Attendees of IDEX can visit EDGE and its portfolio of companies at Hall 5, stand A05 – C10 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) until 24 February, 2023.

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About EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAE’s EDGE is one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly-skilled talent to thrive. With a focus on the adoption of 4IR technologies, EDGE is driving the development of sovereign capabilities for global export and for the preservation of national security, working with front-line operators, international partners, and adopting advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems, advanced propulsion systems, robotics and smart materials. EDGE converges R&D, emerging technologies, digital transformation, and commercial market innovations with military capabilities to develop disruptive solutions tailored to the specific requirements of its customers. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, EDGE consolidates more than 20 entities into four core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Electronic Warfare & Cyber Technologies, and Trading & Mission Support.

About John Cockerill Defense:

Member of the bicentennial John Cockerill Group, John Cockerill Defense is the technological leader in multifunctional, high-effect turrets in the 25-120mm range for light and medium weight armoured vehicles. John Cockerill Defense develops and integrates complete and innovative solutions: design, production, integration and upgrade of weapons systems, operational and tactical training, Agueris® simulation systems (virtual immersive, mobile, embedded and inter-connectable), through-life support and innovative functionalities. Marketed under the Cockerill® brand, John Cockerill Defense weapons systems combine superior firepower and lightweight for high mobility armoured vehicles, guaranteeing performance and protection.  www.johncockerill.com/defense

For more information, visit edgegroup.ae   

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