UAE To Buy 100 Tank Boats From Indonesia

UAE plans to buy 100 units of tank boats from Indonesia as part of a defence cooperation deal signed during President Joko Widodo’s visit to Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Indonesian firm Pindad is currently working on manufacturing the tank boat which consists of a high speed boat with a 105mm canon mounted on it. It has applications in anti-terrorism and anti-piracy operations.

Pindad has teamed up with Lundin, a boat manufacturer from Indonesia’s East Java province and Belgium canon manufacturer Cockeril to develop the innovative product.

 "We have discussed procurement of about 100 units of tank boats that will constitute a large defense industry export from Indonesia to the UAE," the Director of Lundin, Liza Lundin was quoted as saying by Antara News Tuesday.

The deal also includes transfer of technology and a license for an SS2 assault rifle, as well as distribution and marketing for various ammunition products in the Middle-East countries through Pindad’s Middle East strategic partner, Continental Aviation Services (CAS).

"We appreciate the support of the government and all relevant agencies for encouraging defense industry cooperation between Pindad and its strategic partners from the UAE," said the Director of Pindad, Silmy Karim in a press release received by ANTARA on Monday.

CAS, in collaboration with Rheinmentall Defense (RhD) Canada, will conduct a technology transfer and investment for manufacturing remote weapon systems (RWS) with the Pindad brand.

The products are expected to be marketed for the domestic needs of the Indonesian military and police or for the Southeast Asia market.

"We have agreed to cooperate with Pindad as a special hub for our RWS products for the Indonesian and Southeast Asia markets," the CEO of CAS, Juergen Fiebig said.