Senior professionals from within the armoured vehicles domain see the UAE as a particular area for growth for the sector, according to a report.

Defence IQ published its 2012 report on the UAE vehicles market, ahead of the Armoured Vehicles UAE 2012 Conference taking place later this month in official partnership with the UAE Armed Forces.

The report provides an overview of future demand in the region, explores the contenders for the UAE's $2 billion 8x8 tender, and features an exclusive special report into one of the major industry stakeholders Streit Group, who recently opened a major armoured vehicle manufacturing plant in Ras Al Khaimah.

The opening of Streit Group's Ras Al Khaimah plant further demonstrates the increasing importance of the region to the industry, the report said.

Speaking to Defence IQ, Streit Group Chairman Guerman Goutorov explained that they chose the UAE because it acts as a hub to their international business activities. “The UAE is a very well located country geographically. You have access to Asia, Africa, Europe and the other Middle East countries ... you're connected to all the world.”

Streit Group will be joining regional and international manufacturers including NIMR, Al Taif, International Armoured Group at this month's Armoured Vehicles UAE conference (28-30 May) in Abu Dhabi.

The event provides a forum for military decision makers and senior industry professionals to discuss the future direction of the country's armoured vehicles market, as well as hear direct insight into the UAE Armed Forces' armoured vehicle modernisation programmes, including updates on the international request for proposals for up to 600 8x8 wheeled combat vehicles issued by the UAE Armed Forces earlier this year.

Keynote presentations will be provided by representatives from the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, including Brigadier Rashed Al-Kaabi, Deputy Director Maintenance Corps; Brigadier Hassan Mohammed Sultan Bani-Hamad, Commander, 5th Armoured Brigade; and Colonel Yahya Shaheen Al Hammadi, Director of Joint Logistics.