Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, and Fadel Al Kaabi, CEO of International Golden Group (IGG), inaugurated Thursday the new premises of their Vision for Optronics & Navigation Joint Venture located in the Tawazun Industrial Park, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Vision for Optronics & Navigation is the result of a long-standing collaboration between Safran Electronics & Defense and IGG. The joint venture will be a major new player in the United Arab Emirates with the opening of a center of excellence dedicated to R&D and manufacture of critical military equipment. The center will focus on airborne, land and maritime optronics as well as inertial navigation, providing fast and efficient support to meet the needs of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.
“The official opening of the Vision for Optronics & Navigation site marks a decisive step in our strategic partnership with International Golden Group,” said Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense.
“This new center of excellence reflects our commitment to providing technologically advanced solutions and local support for the UAE Armed Forces. Together, we’re helping strengthen the sovereignty and operational superiority of our regional partners, supporting local economic development and expanding the country’s defense industrial base,” he added.
The site, covering more than 800 square meters (8,600 sq.ft), boasts modern, scalable facilities, including state-of-the-art cleanrooms and advanced industrial equipment. It will create highly skilled jobs, helping to stimulate local economic development and strengthening the country’s defense industrial base.
As of now, Vision is providing local support and in-depth maintenance for the sighting systems currently used by the United Arab Emirates Army on its Leclerc tanks and other armored vehicles.
Through Vision, Safran Electronics & Defense is establishing a strong local presence and developing a comprehensive technology transfer strategy, in line with the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. This initiative builds on the shared history and combined expertise of Safran and IGG to meet the needs of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Guided by a commitment to share co-developments and adapt systems with the latest technologies to meet specific local requirements, Vision for Optronics & Navigation, Safran Electronics & Defense and International Golden Group are working together to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the defense industry.
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 92,000 employees and sales of €23.2 billion in 2023, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.
Established in 2002 with headquarters in Abu Dhabi, International Golden Group (IGG) specializes in providing high-end defense and security solutions. Recognized as a leading supplier to the UAE Armed forces, Ministry of Interior, and other defense and security authorities, IGG provides unsurpassed levels of services to our growing customer base by employing highly dedicated and experienced personnel.
IGG ultimately aims to build alliances and partnerships in the defense field by entering long-term partnerships with strategic business partners, both locally and binternationally. IGG’s dedication and focus is aimed towards moving into complex system integrations, assembly and manufacturing.
IGG believes in integrity and transparency in all areas of its business to ensure customer confidence in its ability to meet and exceed international industry standards and actively seek advanced technologies and processes from leading industries around the world.
