M&M venture for armoured vehicles

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) along with its subsidiary MOICML (Mahindra Overseas Investment Company Mauritius Ltd.), Arabia Holdings and Ras Al-Khaimah Transport Investments LLC, signed an agreement to create a joint venture company in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE for armouring of vehicles.

High potential markets

The joint venture will cater to the high potential markets of West and Central Asia as well as Africa.

It would launch a number of MDS' armoured vehicles such as the Marksman, the up-armoured Scorpio and cash in transit van, which have been successful in India.

The joint venture is being set up in the UAE because of the low cost of manufacturing in the free zone of Ras Al-Khaimah and owing to its proximity to the GCC countries, African and Central Asian sub-continents ensuring easy access to these markets.

M&M, through its division, Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), has over the past six years, acquired a leadership position in India in the field of vehicle armouring and brings its considerable experience in the design and development of ballistic kits for vehicle protection to the joint venture.

Arabia Holdings has diverse business presence in the UAE in transportation, logistics and real estate.

The company has expertise in exporting armoured vehicles from the local markets together with its existing relationship with various agencies.