“GM Defense Triumphs in Summer Trials with UAE Armed Forces”
GM Defense LLC, a division of General Motors (GM), proclaimed that its Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) has successfully concluded the 2023 UAE Armed Forces Summer Trials, organized by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Maintenance Corps. Spanning several days, the Summer Trials assess whether vehicles can fulfill the technical and tactical requirements of the UAE Armed Forces and neighboring nations. The UAE is continuing its assessment post-vehicle exercise to formally acknowledge completion status. The ISV attained certification of completion, indicating that the vehicle successfully navigated the Summer Trials during both evaluation phases.
GM Defense’s ISV successfully finished all stages of the Summer Trials, which encompassed traversing nearly 2,000 kilometers across highways, sand dunes, soft sand routes, and rocky terrains. These phases, inclusive of continuous driving with maximum load limits, are intended to evaluate vehicle performance in challenging combat scenarios, such as extreme weather and varied landscapes. In addition to the mobility assessments, the ISV underwent the Maintenance Trial, which involved two days of field repair evaluations, along with maintenance and recovery assessments to assist potential clients in examining repair simplicity and longevity.
“This was GM Defense’s inaugural participation in the UAE Summer Trials, and our successful completion underscores the robustness of our ISV and the proficiency and commitment of our team,” remarked Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “By completing all evaluation phases, we demonstrated our capability to effectively utilize the cutting-edge technologies from our parent company, General Motors, to provide a highly effective off-road vehicle that can fulfill the demands of defense and governmental clients in the UAE and throughout the region. Our accomplishments during the Summer Trials represent a significant leap forward in our strategic growth within the region as we aim to present the ISV and its variants to this vital customer segment.”
“Our success in completing the Summer Trials is an extraordinary achievement for the ISV program and will instill significant confidence in defense and governmental customers in the region regarding the capabilities GM Defense provides to satisfy mission requirements,” stated Bradley Watters, vice president of International Business Development. “I was present alongside other ISV team members, supporting the vehicle as it maneuvered through deep soft sand, robust surfaces, and rocky barriers, successfully accomplishing eight consecutive days of testing under extreme heat (132 degrees Fahrenheit/56 degrees Celsius). Completing all phases of the mobility and maintenance trial will pave the way for new opportunities in the Emirates.”
The culmination of the UAE Summer Trials follows GM Defense’s announcement of a signed cooperative agreement with Tawazun Council at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in February 2023. This agreement aims to enhance collaboration with the shared goal of delivering efficient and innovative solutions to military, security, and governmental clients from the UAE and surrounding regions in critical technological domains such as integrated vehicles; power and propulsion — encompassing fuel cell and power generation; as well as autonomy and connectivity.
