The ND Defense assembly team in West Point, Mississippi, recently completed the first MaxxPro® vehicle under its current reset contract. Earlier this year, the company was awarded a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract to reset, upgrade, and support long-wheelbase MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This project underscores the deepening defense collaboration between the U.S. and UAE, especially at a time when regional security concerns are escalating. This latest development solidifies the UAE’s role as a key U.S. defense partner in the Middle East. The vehicles are designed to enhance force protection, conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and safeguard critical infrastructure across the UAE.
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale of up to 4,569 MRAP vehicles, valued at an estimated $556 million, to the UAE. These vehicles, which come from U.S. Army stocks as Excess Defense Articles (EDA), represent a mix of MaxxPro variants, including the Long Wheel Base (LWB), MaxxPro Recovery Vehicle (MRV), and other MRAP models. The Government of the UAEs has requested the sale of Excess Defense Articles (EDA) of up to four thousand five hundred sixty-nine (4,569) MRAP vehicles consisting of a mix of MaxxPro Long Wheel Base (LWB), MaxxPro Recovery Vehicle (MRV), MaxxPro LWB chassis, MaxxPro Dash, MaxxPro Bases Capsule, MaxxPro MEAP Capsules, MaxxPro Plus, Caiman Multi-Terrain Vehicles without armor, Caiman Base, Caiman Plus, Caiman Capsule, and MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles (MATV), logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical support.
The MRAPs, especially the MaxxPro line, are renowned for their exceptional survivability in hostile environments, where threats like Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and landmines pose severe risks to military personnel. The MaxxPro base model, built on an International 7000 chassis, features a V-shaped hull designed to deflect the blast force away from the vehicle, offering significant protection to its crew. Despite some concerns over the vehicle’s high center of gravity, which raises the risk of rollovers, the MaxxPro has been equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to enhance stability in rough terrain. This critical upgrade was initiated by the U.S. Army in 2010, with installations completed across the fleet by 2017.
For the UAE, the acquisition of these MRAPs is a critical move toward bolstering their defensive capabilities and increasing burden-sharing in regional security operations. The reset program is critical to maintaining the operational readiness of the UAE’s military forces, providing enhanced vehicle performance while extending the service life of the MaxxPro fleet. As tensions in the Middle East continue to fluctuate, the UAE’s investment in these robust vehicles underscores the strategic importance of having highly reliable and well-maintained military assets. ND Defense’s achievement in West Point is not only a testament to the company’s technical expertise but also a reflection of the strengthening ties between the U.S. and UAE defense sectors. With this milestone, the company is well-positioned to deliver further upgrades and support in the years to come.
