02 Dec 14. Emirates Defence Industries Company launched. Mubadala Development Company and Tawazun Holding announced the launch of the Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), an integrated national defence services and manufacturing platform. EDIC’s Board is chaired by Homaid Al Shemmari with Saif al Hajeri, Major General Saif Mosbeh Abdullah Al-Masafri and Major General Pilot Fares Khalaf Khalfan Al-Mazrouei as Board Members. Luc Vigneron is the Chief Executive Officer. EDIC will comprise eleven companies from the subsidiaries of Mubadala Development Company, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Investment Group (EAIG) at the conclusion of the first phase of integration, with a formal transfer of ownership occurring progressively from January 2015. “The outcome from this process will be an integrated defence platform benefiting from improved alignment, performance and increased capacity, which is better positioned to serve the UAE Armed Forces and compete for business in the region,” said Homaid Al Shemmari, Board Chairman of EDIC. “EDIC creates significant opportunities for industry growth, and we remain committed to our companies, customers and partners in realising this opportunity,” added Al Shemmari. Companies identified for integration during the first phase are Al Taif Technical Services, Bayanat for Mapping and Surveying Services, and Horizon International Flight Academy from Mubadala; NIMR Automotive, Tawazun Dynamics and Tawazun Precision Industries from Tawazun; and C4 Advanced Solutions, Global Aerospace Logistics, Naval Advanced Solutions, Secure Communications and Thales Advanced Solutions from EAIG. Several more industrial services subsidiaries of Mubadala and Tawazun are being considered for integration during a second phase, which will begin early in 2015. EDIC is the region’s premier integrated national defence services and manufacturing platform, providing world-class facilities, technology and support services. The company brings together the combined capabilities of the UAE’s defence industries into a single integrated platform to enhance value for our clients, shareholders, partners and other stakeholders. Once fully integrated, EDIC will comprise companies including manufacturing, training, mapping, logistics, technology development and communications as well as MRO services for air, land and sea platforms. (Source: Google/Emirates News Agency)
03 Dec 14. India approves Punj Lloyd bid to expand defence activities. Indian engineering group Punj Lloyd has secured approval from the Indian Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to expand its activities in the defence sector, the FIPB announced on 1 December. The approval follows the Indian government’s moves in 2014 to deregulate defence production licensing for the private sector and a related decision in October to approve defence licence applications from a number of major private sector companies, including Punj Lloyd. In its announcement, the FIPB said that Punj Lloyd had sought approval to undertake additional activities in manufacturing of equipment, systems, and associated assemblies for the defence sector. FIPB approval is required before Punj Lloyd can expand in the sector because the company already has a number of foreign investors through the Bombay Stock Exchange, on which it is listed. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
03 Dec 14. Australian Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. David Johnston, formally launched Northrop Grumman Australia in a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial last night. With over 400 employees now in Australia, it is one of the key international growth areas targeted by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC). Northrop Grumman products and systems have been supporting Australia’s national security requirements for more than 20 years. The recent appointment of Ian Irving as chief executive for Northrop Grumman Australia, and the establishment of a permanent local presence marks a new phase in the company’s contrib