Algeria and the United Arab Emirates have signed an agreement to jointly produce NIMR armoured vehicles in Algeria.

The agreement was signed on July 19 between the Algerian Ministry of Defence's Mechanical Industry Promotion Group and the United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) Tawazun Holdings. Under the agreement, the NIMR-Algerie Joint Stock Company will be established in Khenchela in the northeast of the country, reports the Algerian Press Service.

The director of Military Industries at the Algerian Defence Ministry, Rachid Chouaki, said that the Algeria-Emirati partnership is based on “principle of trust linking the two brotherly countries.” The establishment of the plant in Algeria is expected to create between 400 and 500 jobs.

Tawazun subsidiary NIMR Automotive, based in Abu Dhabi, produces a family of interoperable 4x4 and 6x6 armoured vehicles with a common chassis. They are configured for various missions, including reconnaissance, border surveillance, logistics, urban warfare, ambulance, command and control and as an armoured personnel carrier.

The 4x4 model can have a single or double cab and a weapons platform or personnel carrier hull. The 6x6 version comes in short, medium or long wheelbase iterations. The 13.5 tonne 6x6 model can carry up to five tonnes.

Armour protection is equivalent to STANAG 4569 Level 1 (it can withstand 7.62 x 51 ball ammunition at 30 metres), but armour kits can upgrade protection to Level 3 or 4.

The CEO of Tawazun subsidiary Burkan, Saeed Al Mansouri, told Shephard Media at Eurosatory last month that the NIMR is completely designed and manufactured in the UAE, apart from the engine and gearbox.

Hamad Al Neyadi, Chief Strategic Officer of Tawazun and Chairman of Nimr Automotive, said he wants to establish a globally recognised defence automotive business. He was speaking at the International Armoured Vehicles conference in the UK in February, reports the Emirates News Agency. As part of its expansion plans, Tawazun aims to increase its workforce by 4-500 employees each year (from 3 000 at present).

More than 500 NIMR vehicles have been delivered to customers including Libya, Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, while more than 1 800 are on order. The United Arab Emirates armed forces signed a contract for 200 vehicles in March.