In an interview to the Abu Dhabi-based Gulf News, Al Shamsi said the
Caracal shipment to the United States marked a watershed for the UAE
company. He said the U.S. market would promote sales throughout the global
market, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The United States is every gun manufacturer's market; they are the most
important market," Al Shamsi said. "The fact that we've just landed there
within three years of starting Caracal is an achievement in itself."
Caracal first began developing its light arms in 2002 in cooperation
with European designers and began marketing five years later. In August, the UAE company sent 5,000 9mm Caracal polymer pistols to the United
States in a marketing arrangement with Waffen Werks USA. The pistol has been
available in three configurations.
The UAE military and security forces have procured 22,000 firearms from
Caracal, a subsidiary of the state-owned Tawazun Holding. The production has
taken place in Abu Dhabi's military zone.
"Caracal is now standard issue for the UAE military," Al Shamsi said.
"Abu Dhabi police should be handing it out to their officers within the next
month."
Executives said Bahrain, Jordan and the European Union diplomatic
security have been clients of Caracal, which has received NATO
certification. In 2010, Caracal also added such clients as France, Germany,
Italy and Thailand.
"We're the only small-arms manufacturer in the Middle East to sell
internationally," Al Shamsi said. "We have a good chance at landing more law
enforcement agencies."
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