New UAE ammo company to supply bullets to Armed Forces

Abu Dhabi - The new company will manufacture all kinds of ammunitions

Abu Dhabi-owned Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC) announced that it has ceased the operations of two ammunition production companies and created a new one that will supply bullets to the UAE Armed Forces and some friendly countries in the region.
Called Barij Munitions and headquartered in Al Ajban, the new company will manufacture all kinds of ammunitions - from small arms calibers to infantry, artillery and aircraft ammunitions, Abdulateef Al Butih, CEO of Barij Munitions announced at a press conference on the second day of International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) 2017 in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
"Previously, one caliber is produced by two companies - Burkan Munitions Systems and Caracal Light Ammunition; now it will be just Barij Munitions," Al Butih explained.
All the assets of the two companies were taken over by Burij Munitions and 95 per cent of its production will be delivered to the UAE Armed Forces and the remaining five percent to be exported to "friendly countries in the region," according to Al Butih.
"Barij Munitions vision is to be a leader in ammunition development by delivering cutting-edge products and services to better serve the UAE Armed forces," Al Butih emphasized. "Barij is set to play an increasingly important role in the ammunition manufacturing industry in the UAE."
The company will also conduct 'demilitarization' services "to safely dispose munitions facilities, dismantle ammunition, cut projectiles, remove explosives from projectiles and dispose rocket motor and smoke ammunitions.
Barij Munitions is also capable of screening different types of ammunitions, mortars, artillery shells, grenades and smoke generators.
When asked by Khaleej Times what is the annual production target of Barij Munitions, Al Butih declined to give actual figures and explained that it will be dependent on the requirements of the UAE Armed Forces.
"But it will definitely run in millions of rounds of small and medium caliber ammunitions," Al Butih added.
Barij Munitions has a total workforce of 326 people, 16 per cent of whom are Emiratis and of the national staff, 60 per cent are male while 40 per cent are female.  
Al Butih said: "Barij Munitions is supported by qualified expertise that develops Emirati capabilities in a highly-skilled industry. There is a greater capacity to support the transfer of technology and know-how (to) support the ammunition manufacturing industry needs."
He also added that adhering to international standards of safety and quality through automation and manufacturing using world-class practices is Barij Munitions' top priority.
"Some of our production line date back to World War 2 machineries. Our priority is to bring in new production lines and improve our technological capabilities to compete with international companies," concluded Al Butih.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
 

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