Abu Dhabi: The UAE firearms manufacturer, Caracal International, which recently signed a deal with the UAE Armed Forces to provide 80,000 modern assault rifles, sees the demand increasing for its products in the coming years.

A subsidiary of Tawazun holding, the company is based in Abu Dhabi and is known for manufacturing sniper rifles and other lighter weapons catering to civilian, military, law enforcement and sporting markets.

“The potential is unlimited in the next five years with the support we have in the UAE and the Middle East. Our priority is local market to fulfil the requirement of army and the ministry of interior but we also export 30 per cent of our products to different countries in the Middle East and North Africa,” said Hamad Salem Al Ameri, chief executive officer of Caracal. “The demand has been growing steadily every year by 15 per cent. We expect it to continue in the coming years and grow higher and higher.”

He did not disclose details about the company’s annual production but said that it depends on the demand.

The company signed a contract worth Dh763 million with the UAE Armed Forces for supplying 80,000 modern assault rifles of the type CAR 816, at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) 2015 two days ago. “Some of that investment goes into new machines, new facilities and developing new technology,” he said of the deal.

He added that the company manufactures modern assault rifle that also takes Kalashnikov ammunition.

When asked whether the demand will increase due to conflicts in the Middle East, he said their priority is to secure the demand for the UAE Armed Forces and the neighbouring countries.

In addition to producing a full range of pistols, tactical sniper rifles, hunting rifles and assault rifles, Caracal also offers a variety of arms accessories, full weapon repair as well as maintenance and servicing.

The company has been recently integrated into Emirates Defence Industries Company along with a number of UAE-based defence companies.

Overall 170 Emirati companies specialised in the field of defence and service took part in Idex 2015 this year that concluded on Thursday.

Caracal International was set up in 2007 and has a manufacturing facility at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abjan between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.