Griffon Aerospace Middle East (GAME) and Paramount Group, a leading defence firm in Africa, have formed a joint venture to combine expertise for a new armoured vehicle design and surveillance electronics.

The multi-role border patrol vehicle is being showcased at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2011) in Abu Dhabi.

Paramount’s mine protected vehicle (MPV), the Marauder will provide a rugged platform for GAME’s advanced targeting and surveillance systems, plus a turret-mounted missile launcher, to give customers a high tech long range border patrol capability, coupled with the ability to quickly and accurately engage long-range targets, a statement said.

“GAME has a longstanding pedigree of successfully and effectively integrating defence systems for clients in the Middle East and around the world,” said Ivor Ichikowitz, executive chairman of the Paramount Group.

“By joining GAME’s superior technology with our own tried and tested MPV platform Marauder, we are able to work together to offer a competitive and bespoke solution to the Middle East market.

“The oversight and control of increasingly porous borders is a pressing requirement for certain Gulf states. The new variant of Marauder developed with GAME has been specifically designed to meet that requirement.”

“We will always seek out the very best strategic partners to provide the precise solutions which our customers require, offering them the flexibility to manage new and emerging threats,” he added.

Habib Boukharouba, chairman of Griffon Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with Paramount in order to combine our experience in net centric environment and ISTAR solutions in challenging combat environment.”

“Coupling our highly advanced electronics sensors, jammers, integrating new generation laser guided ammunitions on RCWS turret systems, with Paramount’s proven vehicle platforms will answer a real need in the region. This is just the start of what promises to be a highly fruitful joint venture.”

Idex, which is running at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, will conclude tomorrow (February 24). – TradeArabia News Service