Abu Dhabi-based Al Jaber Group has selected Oshkosh Defense, a leading designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armoured wheeled vehicles, to provide the global heavy equipment transporter (HET) vehicle for the UAE Armed Forces.

Oshkosh Defense, a division of US-based Oshkosh Corporation, delivers a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons.

The new Global HET is a high-performance 6x6 transport vehicle with a 70 metric ton payload capability, the company said in a statement.

With a powerful 700-horsepower engine, the Global HET is able to transport a main battle tank, armored vehicles, construction equipment and more.

By transporting large-scale equipment on the Global HET, the military can reduce the wear on equipment and crew fatigue that typically occurs over long distances.

Al Jaber said as per the deal, Oshkosh will fulfill its initial purchase of Global HETs by early 2012.

“Our goal is to provide the UAE with the world’s most powerful military vehicles as part of an overall logistics and fleet management solution,” said Obaid Khaleefa Jaber Al Murri, chairman of Al Jaber Group.

“Our focus is on quality and long-term performance, and Oshkosh was the clear choice. They have a successful history of designing, manufacturing and sustaining heavy-duty vehicles for the U.S. Army and militaries around the world,” he added.

Working closely with the Al Jaber Group, the new Global HET was designed to meet the requirements of the UAE Armed Forces and was rigorously tested and evaluated in extreme desert conditions, said a Oshkosh official.

“We are pleased to partner with the Al Jaber Group to deliver and support the Oshkosh Global HET vehicle in the UAE,” said Serge Buchakjian, senior vice president and general manager of International Programs for Oshkosh Defense.

“We are committed to serving the Middle East region, and our relationship and initial sale to Al Jaber Group will allow Oshkosh vehicles to play an important role in supporting the UAE’s Armed Forces programs,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service