Altadrea Manufacturing Company (TMC), one of the largest armored vehicle manufacturers in Saudi Arabia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Teledyne FLIR, a world leader in intelligent sensing solutions for defense and industrial applications.

The agreement will build strategic cooperation between the two companies to explore development and innovation and is in line with TMC’s 5-year strategy to double its operating capacity by 2025, diversify its portfolio of customers in the public and private sectors, and consolidate its position as the most reliable manufacturer of customized military vehicles in the Kingdom, the company said in a statement.

The MoU was signed by Altadrea CEO Ayoub bin Fawzi Ayoub bin Sabri and Teledyne FLIR Vice President of Strategic Commercial Initiatives Ole Aguirre. Altadrea CEO Ayoub bin Fawzi Ayoub bin Sabri said: “The MoU with Teledyne FLIR is a major step forward and it is aligned with the strategic aim of the Saudi General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI), under Vision 2030 to localise the military industry by more than 50 per cent and increase competitiveness in the sector. It will also add value to the Saudi military industry by strengthening local industrial and defense capabilities and facilitating a transfer of technical knowledge to the Kingdom”.

“TMC is committed to contributing to Saudi economic development and diversification by supporting local content and developing the skill set of the workforce. We already have a 40 per cent Saudi workforce and in-house capabilities” bin Sabri added.

“The agreement with Teledyne FLIR will benefit both companies and consolidate our position as a market leader in the manufacture of armored vehicles”, continued.

Teledyne FLIR Vice President of Business Development for Defense Technologies Arne Skjaerpe said, “The signing of the MoU with TMC reaffirms Teledyne FLIR’s commitment to the region and the Kingdom, and we are pleased to be teaming with an innovative organization such as TMC to develop shared opportunities for growth. The joint agreement will bring together our expertise in the design and manufacture of thermal imaging cameras and sensors, and TMC’s experience in the production of armored vehicles, leading to the introduction of world-class integrated systems and solutions.”