CARACAL, a leading small arms manufacturer and entity within EDGE, one of the top 25 advanced technology and defence groups in the world, today signed a partnership agreement, following a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) / agreement with ICOMM, a market leader in developing and manufacturing missile and sub-systems, communications and EW systems, Electro-optics, Shelters, Composites, as well as other systems technology such as drone and counter drones

The agreement was signed during DefExpo 2022, the Land, Naval and Homeland Security Systems Exhibition, which was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 18-22 October.

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, CARACAL and ICOMM will partner in the development of a full portfolio of locally manufactured small arms for the Indian market, as well as for international export.

At the signing, Hamad Alameri, CEO of CARACAL, said: “Building partnerships and seeking valuable opportunities for collaboration in the Indian market is one of CARACAL’s key objectives, and we look forward to exploring these opportunities further with ICOMM, whose experience as an industry leader providing turnkey solutions across multiple sectors, including engineering and defence, complements CARACAL’s portfolio of advanced small arms.”

“Through our agreement to form a partnership, we can benefit from greater knowledge sharing, and can utilise our individual strengths, and our synergies, to reinforce our support of the overall ‘Make in India’ strategy,” he added.

ICOMM Chief Sumanth P said: “India's Defence industry is constantly evolving, in-line with India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. ICOMM’s MoU with Caracal (EDGE Group, UAE) is a step towards making the Defence sector in India self-sufficient and self-reliant in light of the geopolitical shifts taking place throughout the world.”

“Under the ICOMM-Caracal cooperation, the complete line of small arms will be produced in ICOMM's world-class design, development and manufacturing centre in Hyderabad. Presently, ICOMM is a one of the large companies in manufacturing Missile & Sub-Systems, Communications & EW System, Radars, Electro-Optics, Composites, Loitering Munitions, Shelters, Drone & Counter Drone System. Our entry into the small arms is a proud moment for us,” he explained.