{"id":54971,"date":"2018-05-15T17:52:50","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T17:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/05\/15\/industry-pushes-lighter-smaller-vehicles-as-critical-for-mideast-combat\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:07:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:07:08","slug":"industry-pushes-lighter-smaller-vehicles-as-critical-for-mideast-combat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/digital-show-dailies\/sofex\/2018\/05\/15\/industry-pushes-lighter-smaller-vehicles-as-critical-for-mideast-combat\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry pushes lighter, smaller vehicles as critical for Mideast combat"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Explosions, commandos and helos show how Jordan contributes to counterterrorism efforts, but the country is also showing off its manufacturing chops.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

AMMAN, Jordan \u2015 Exceptionally notable at last week\u2019s Special Operations Forces Exhibition in Jordan was the large presence of local and international light tactical products<\/a> to support special ops fighting the wave of regional threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe new type of threats<\/a> faced today requires the use of light vehicles able to meet the demand of the countries confronting terrorism in an asymmetric environment where the assemblage of terrorist groups is becoming more concentrated in residential areas,\u201d said Abdallah Al Salman, marketing and communication manager with the Jordan-based KADDB Investment Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forecast International analysts predict the global light, wheeled vehicle market will produce more than 36,000 units worth at least $30.9 billion through 2024 \u2015 despite ongoing worldwide economic difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn order to counter this new type of threats, you certainly need smaller and lighter, high-maneuverable vehicles. And as an example, KIG has worked on developing Al-Maha and Al-Washaq as a solution to customers that require smaller vehicles to maneuver in narrow neighborhoods and streets,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Al-Maha and Al-Washq were developed after KIG received feedback from its local and international customers, according to Al Salman, who noted that the Al-Jawad vehicle is sometimes considered too large to effectively counter the \u201cnew type of threats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe two vehicles are able to carry eight personnel in total (six plus two) in comparison with Al-Jawad, which can carry a total of 10 personnel. But what\u2019s common is the high level of protection,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t