Marakeb Technologies LLC, a subsidiary of Strategic Development Fund Company (SDF), and Black-I Robotics International (BRI), an Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)-based company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the potential for developing local manufacturing lines, to produce advanced medium to heavy payload Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs).

The MoU provides for close cooperation between Marakeb Technologies and BRI in the field of UGVs, for a variety of industries mainly focusing on defense, energy, oil and gas and security sectors.

Basel Shuhaiber, Chief Executive Officer of Marakeb Technologies and Matthew Cochran, Chief Executive Officer of Black-I Robotics International (BRI) signed the MoU, in the presence of Abdulla Naser Al Jaabari, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SDF, the investment arm of Tawazun Economic Council (Tawazun).

The unmanned systems will be built at industrial scale for a variety of industries mainly focusing on defense, energy, oil and gas and security sectors globally for export from the UAE in alignment with the “Make it in the Emirates” programme launched by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.

Abdulla Naser Al Jaabari, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Development Fund, said, “Today’s agreement illustrates the possibility of creating mutually rewarding and profitable businesses under the SDF initiative. We look forward to working with BRI on investment opportunities and assisting the acceleration of the transfer of advanced technology and technical know-how to the local UAE market from Switzerland and the United States.”

Basel Shuhaiber, Chief Executive Officer of Marakeb Technologies, commented, “Marakeb Technologies is working on the localization of the production and supply chain of the BRI UGV platforms and the Emiratisation of the labour force to support BRI objectives. We remain committed to bringing local capabilities to the country and the region. Being able to export advanced, globally leading, UGV hardware and technology with a ‘made in the UAE’ label will help to further strengthen the UAE’s security and defense industry credentials globally.”

Matthew Cochran, CEO of BRI, added, “We are honoured to partner with the Strategic Development Fund for their strategic investment and with Marakeb Technologies for local manufacturing. BRI will play a central role in supporting the UAE to develop into a hub with a world leading unmanned systems capability – bringing together multiple autonomous technologies for export. Our BRI URS series of UGVs have been battlefield proven in all-terrain and all-weather extreme conditions globally. Our URS UGVs are built with modular payload capacity, and a seamless transition between manned and unmanned modes. Our growing family of mid-size UGVs, we plan to manufacture in the UAE, provide a greater force-multiplier and concept of operations for armed forces and security operations worldwide.”

Source: Emirates News Agency