GM Defense Celebrates Victory in UAE Armed Forces’ Summer Testing!
GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), announced that its Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) has successfully finalized the 2023 UAE Armed Forces Summer Trials organized by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Maintenance Corps. Spanning several days, the Summer Trials evaluate whether vehicles can meet the technical and tactical necessities of the UAE Armed Forces and allied nations. The UAE continues to perform assessments following the vehicle tests to formally confirm completion status. The ISV received certification of completion, demonstrating that the vehicle successfully navigated the Summer Trials after both evaluation phases.
GM Defense’s ISV excelled in all segments of the Summer Trials, covering nearly 2,000 kilometers across highways, sand dunes, loose sandy paths, and rugged terrain. The stages, inclusive of continuous driving under full payload conditions, are designed to assess vehicle performance in challenging combat situations, featuring harsh climates and diverse landscapes. Along with the mobility trials, the ISV participated in the Maintenance Trial, which included two days of field repairs testing and an assessment of maintenance and recovery abilities to aid potential customers in realizing repair efficiency and sustainability.
“This signifies GM Defense’s first participation with a vehicle in UAE Summer Trials, and our triumphant result is a testament to the resilience of our ISV and the commitment of our dedicated team,” expressed Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “By completing all phases, we have highlighted our capability to leverage the advanced technologies of our parent company, General Motors, to create a highly effective off-road vehicle that fulfills the requirements of defense and governmental clientele in the UAE and across the region. Our accomplishments during the Summer Trials represent a significant milestone in our strategic expansion within the region as we aim to introduce the ISV and its variants to this crucial customer base.”
“Our successful conclusion of the Summer Trials signifies a remarkable achievement for the ISV project and will instill substantial confidence in defense and governmental clients in the region regarding the capabilities that GM Defense can offer to fulfill mission requirements,” stated Bradley Watters, vice president of International Business Development. “I was present on-site with other ISV team members, supporting the vehicle as it maneuvered through deep soft sand, consolidated surfaces, and rocky obstacles, successfully completing eight consecutive days of testing in extreme heat (132 degrees Fahrenheit/56 degrees Celsius). Concluding all phases of the mobility and maintenance trial will pave the way for new growth opportunities in the Emirates.”
The conclusion of the UAE Summer Trials follows GM Defense’s announcement of a signed collaborative agreement with Tawazun Council at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in February 2023. This agreement fosters business initiatives with the mutual aim of delivering innovative and advanced solutions to military, security, and governmental clients from the UAE and throughout the region in essential technology sectors such as integrated vehicles; power and propulsion—including fuel cells and power generation; and autonomy and connectivity.
