UAE arms maker to sell pistols in US

A light arms manufacturing company launched by the Abu Dhabi government five years ago said on Saturday it is planning to enter the US market with the sale of nearly 10,000 pistols every year.

Caracal International, fully owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi-based offset group Tawazun Holding, said it had just established a US subsidiary, Caracal USA, and is in the process of finalising agreements with US distributors.

“Caracal’s goal is to sell 10,000 of its premium pistols annually in the US,” Caracal said in a statement sent to Emirates 24/7.

Reflecting the importance of the US market to Caracal’s growth plans, this week the company is exhibiting its products for the first time at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the world’s largest trade show for the shooting sports industry, hunting and law enforcement professionals.
Nearly 60,000 industry professionals attend the show, including buyers, distributors and government officials.

Caracal said it would initially make two semi-automatic pistol models available in the US, the Caracal “F” and “C.” The company expects to make additional products available in the US before the end of 2012.

“Caracal’s entry into the US market represents a significant step in the Tawazun's growth,” said Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Tawazun’s CEO. "This is also testimony to the UAE's commitment to expand its manufacturing base."

Caracal’s CEO Salem Al Matroushi added: "Through our US subsidiary, Caracal will be much better positioned to meet demand for our products and provide enhanced customer support.”

Caracal is a small arms manufacturer launched in Abu Dhabi in 2007. Working closely with the UAE Armed Forces, the company has developed a range of pistols in association with leading European weapon designers and users.

The Caracal range includes full and compact sized pistols, which have been sold in the Middle East region, Europe and South Africa. Caracal products are manufactured in Abu Dhabi.

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