LIMA 2023 – Caracal UAE small arms manufacturer expands its footprint in Asia

Paolo Valpolini

Following industrial agreements in India and Indonesia, it is now the turn of Malaysia to sign an accord with Caracal, the Abu Dhabi-based small arms manufacturer part of the EDGE group, for a transfer of technology. EDR On-Line spoke with the company CEO

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In the last few years the growth of Caracal followed that of the EDGE group to which it belongs, both in terms of portfolio and footprint on the international market. The last addition to the company catalogue was the belt-fed Caracal Light Machine Gun 556 (CLMG 556) in 5.56×45 mm calibre, while the presence of the EDGE stand in most of recent international defence exhibitions led its small arms to be promoted around the world.

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In the Asia-Pacific region the company has been pretty active in the recent past. In 2022 it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India-based ICOMM.  A partnership licensing agreement signed at IDEX 2023 last February further reinforcing this cooperation, the two companies partnering in the development of a full portfolio of locally manufactured small arms for the Indian market in line with the “Make In India” initiative. In March 2021 Caracal signed an Industrial Cooperation Agreement with Indonesia PT Pindad that includes the co-production of the CAR 816 for the Indonesian market, PT Pindad providing the barrel and other components.

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Looking at a further expansion in the Asian region, at LIMA 2023 signed an agreement with Ketech Asia for the production and resale of the CAR 816 assault rifle in Malaysia. EDR On-Line met the Caracal CEO, Hamad Al Ameri, following the agreement signature.

“The quality of our products, which compares with that of US and European small arms, can give options to Asian customers,” he explains, adding that “our location, in the United Arab Emirates, is closer to this market, and moreover we have less export restrictions.”

Geography also allows for short response times in the after sales service, while another key element in Caracal products success is price, the EDGE group aiming at being disruptive on this, as stated by its CEO during IDEX 2023. This was demonstrated by the success in the assault rifle bid in India, which was then retendered to be in compliance with the ‘Make in India’ initiative where Caracal has partnered with ICOMM. Asked on the market in general terms, Mr. Hamad Al Ameri told EDR On-Line that “currently assault rifles, both in 5.56 and 7.62 mm calibres, as well as submachine guns in 9 mm calibre, are the best selling items. The latter are second in volume only to assault rifles, and they are growing more than ever with Homeland Security forces being stronger customers than the Army in some countries.”

Asked about the proliferation of calibres in the small arms world, the Caracal CEO said that his company is ready to answer market requests, his weapons being ready to be chambered for calibres different from standard NATO ones, such as the 6.5×48 mm Creedmoor, or the .300 AACBlackout (7.62×35 mm).

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Nowadays becoming a one-stop-shop able to provide customers with a comprehensive solution is often a plus. “Talking ammunition we cooperate with Lahab Light Ammunition, which is also part of the EDGE group and is manufacturing full steam 9×19 mm, 5.56×45 mm, 7.52×51 mm and 12.7×99 mm rounds. That company is currently expanding its production to other calibres, such as .308, .338 LM and .50 Sniper,” he explains, the latter calibres matching the widening production of Caracal in the snipers’ world. As for sights and optical solutions, the third pillar of a small arms contract, “here we work closely with partners. When we require them to customise their products to cope with our requirements,

Photos courtesy Caracal and P. Valpolini

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