Riyadh-based OTM to contribute to Saudi economy

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - RIYADH — US-based Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation company, signed an agreement with Saudi Al Tadrea Manufacturing Company (TMC) Wednesday, creating a new Saudi majority-owned firm, Oshkosh Al Tadrea Manufacturing (OTM).

OTM will combine the manufacturing and tactical-wheeled vehicle expertise of Oshkosh Defense, the leading tactical wheeled vehicle provider for the US military, with TMC’s 20 years of unparalleled experience and expertise in meeting Saudi customers’ military vehicle needs. The signing was attended virtually by US and Saudi government officials and representatives of Oshkosh Defense and TMC.

Speaking at the virtual signing ceremony, Eng. Fawzi Bin Ayoub Sabri, president and CEO of TMC said, “At the present time and efforts which the Kingdom is exerting in industries, particularly the military industries, we must move forward and follow in the footsteps of our noble Kingdom to achieve requirements of Saudi national security, raise efficiency of military industries and support the Saudi national human capabilities that we hope to achieve in terms of providing more job opportunities for our young men and women.”

Also speaking at the virtual-signing ceremony, John Bryant, president of Oshkosh Defense, LLC, said, “Oshkosh Defense and TMC have been working closely together for over two years through transfers of technology and capabilities to bring this joint venture to fruition. We are excited to partner with this long-established Saudi company at a moment of huge historical change within the Kingdom. The new venture will also significantly contribute to the goals of Vision 2030 through job creation, localizing defense spending and contributing to a strong and diverse economy.”

Oshkosh Defense is a pioneer and trusted global provider of combat-ready vehicles that advance troop safety, enable mission success and further the modernization priorities of Armed Forces around the world. This experience combined with TMC’s local market insight will quickly position OTM as a leader and set the gold standard for an industry that demands only the very best.

OTM will develop manufacturing expertise by becoming a prime contractor for tactical-wheeled vehicle services. OTM will provide military and security service customers in Saudi with unparalleled fleet lifecycle sustainment support. In addition, OTM will develop a broader and more efficient supply chain in the Kingdom. OTM’s manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities will create a demand for a wide variety of locally manufactured parts, spurring small and medium enterprise (SME) industrial expansion.

As part of the preparation ahead of the joint venture formation, Oshkosh Defense worked closely with TMC to provide training and certification to ensure OTM employees are prepared with the necessary skills to manage a variety of activities.

For example, coursework ensured proficiency on MRO activities for Oshkosh Defense vehicles, and practical experience was provided for joint maintenance assessment of Oshkosh Defense mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) all-terrain vehicles (M-ATV) in service with the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF).

One of the first OTM-designed products that the new joint venture will offer will be a truck based on the Oshkosh Defense family of medium tactical vehicles (FMTV) 4x4 chassis.

Working with an Oshkosh FMTV 4x4 chassis, OTM will integrate a locally designed and manufactured cab, body, and other vehicle components. This OTM 4x4 will feature Saudi Intellectual Property (IP) and will be the Kingdom’s first domestically produced logistics vehicle with a protected armor capsule. — SG