The world’s largest privately-owned armoured vehicle facility has opened at Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE with capacity to produce 400 vehicles per month.

The facility has been set up by Streit Group at the Technology Park in the emirate. Streit makes personal protection vehicles, cash-in transit vehicles, heavy-duty cash-in-transit trucks, law-enforcement vehicles and vehicles for military tactical units and says its portfolio is growing. It also provides armouring for existing civilian platforms such as custom-built luxury sedans and SUVs.

Streit Group has been operating from RAK Free Trade Zone since 2005, having started that year with a 150 sq m warehouse at Technology Park.

The new facility boasts a high-tech design and houses full range amenities for research and development, manufacturing, testing, training and storage of armoured vehicles in a single complex.

In the second and third phase, there will be a glass factory, pre-fabrication facilities, expansion of employee accommodation, fuelling stations, a helipad, and support manufacturing. These facilities are expected to be completed by 2014.

The new facility can produce and test 40 different models of armoured vehicles for commercial, semi-military and military use and has a total capacity to manufacture 250 armoured vehicles per month under normal loads, rising to 400 units, when required, remarked Guerman Goutorov, CEO of Streit Group.

“We are delighted with the inauguration of our new facility, and the support that the RAK leadership has offered in our operations,” he stated.

“The emirate offers a range of public services, such as: easy access to transport infrastructures like ports and airports, a flourishing community, cost-effective housing facilities and access to other support services.

“With our new facility, Streit is looking to further penetrate the market for armoured vehicles in the UAE and the region by leveraging superior engineering and world-class design to create the products known for its safety and endurance.”

According to the official, the group aims to achieve Dh150 million ($40.8 million) worth of sales over the next five years.

“The new facility will help us offer a wide range of production options for various uses in the region, and help us cater to large orders and customisations with minimum lead time,” said Goutorov.

“We are looking to expand the use of semi-military vehicles, for instance for ferrying aid staff and relief supplies to conflict areas, and are also looking to introduce a new range of military police vehicles,” he added.

In his comments, free zone CEO Oussama El Omari said: “The launch is ample testimony to the growing importance of RAK FTZ as a strategic hub for industries across multiple sectors, with top companies choosing the free zone, thanks to our investment-friendly regulations and transparent policies.”

“We look forward to a mutually-beneficial partnership with Streit Group in the years to come.”