BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa yesterday said it recently signed teaming agreements with International Golden Group (IGG) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and with Kenyan company Rongai Workshop.
“The Middle East is an important region for us and working with local industry and assisting the UAE defense industry to grow, is our goal,” said Johan Steyn, managing director, Land Systems South Africa. “We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship, serving the UAE and other customers to ensure safety and security for their soldiers.”
In 2011, BAE contracted with IGG for the RG31 Agrab Mk2 Mobile Mortar Platform (MMP) mine protected vehicles. Land Systems South Africa also has contracted with UAE Special Operations Command, which operates RG31 Mk5 command vehicles. Also, security forces in Dubai have several RG12 vehicles in service.
IGG is the first UAE-based private joint stock company primarily focused on supplying advanced technology-driven solutions to major security and defense organizations such as the UAE armed forces, the Presidential Guard Command, the UAE Ministry of Interior, and Abu Dhabi’s Critical National Infrastructure Authority. It has extensive experience supporting government agencies in systems integration projects and providing turnkey integrated products and system infrastructures. IGG also is able to provide in-service support within the UAE and in theater.
“We have worked with BAE Systems’ Land Systems South Africa business for many years as a prime contractor for, most recently, the MMP contract. We are looking forward to a long and successful future providing combat proven mine and armored protected systems to forces in the Middle East,” said Fadel Al Kaabi, CEO of IGG.
BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa also has teamed with Rongai Workshop, to provide Military and Technical Services (M&TS) support in Africa.
This partnership will cater to the United Nations’ regional missions and the peacekeeping efforts of the African Union and South Africa.
“Ensuring stability and successful peacekeeping operations throughout the continent is an important element of what we do as a South African defense company,” Steyn said. “We are proud to expand our role in carrying out these missions throughout the East African region.”
The two companies will form a regional M&TS center in the East African region to carry out U.N. missions and the African Union’s peacekeeping efforts. Kenya is a leading trade hub and gateway into the East African region, benefitting from access to well-developed sea shipping and airfreight services, as well as reasonable road infrastructure, and a large supply of skilled labor.
“Teaming with a global business such as BAE Systems holds great new prospects for us as a Kenyan defense company,” said Vanessa Evans, managing director of Rongai Workshop and Transport Limited. “We look forward to playing a part in peacekeeping missions in our region to enhance stability in Africa.”
With more than 60 years of experience, Rongai started as an agricultural workshop in 1947 and today performs major rebuilds of trucks, engines, gearboxes, overhauls, fuel injection repairs and some component fabrication.