# Paramount Group to set-up arms facilities in MENA, signs agreements

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2019/02/paramount-group-to-set-up-arms-facilities-in-mena-signs-agreements/
- Published: 2019-02-26T16:52:57+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

South African defense company Paramount Group would sign agreement with four (up
to seven is speculated) African government to establish arms production facilities.

The company which has previously commissioned various manufacturing and production
facilities to meet demand from specific domestic markets before, including in India,
Jordan, and Kazakhstan.

A further three agreements making it seven could be signed in southern Africa in
two years’ time in the next 10 months that covers all our activities in air, land
and sea.

“Africa really is innovative,” Paramount Group’s CEO Ivor Ichikowitz said during
the IDEX held in Abu Dhabi. Ichikowitz also said that in the Middle East “there 
are substantial agreements close to finality” however, he refused to comment on 
specifics.

“There is a huge amount of skill. There is a huge amount of human capital on the
African continent that makes what we are planning to do very achievable.”

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The company manufactures military vehicles, aircraft, ships, and weapons systems.
It is also interested in working with governments on software, cyber security, and
artificial intelligence, Ichikowitz said.

“We would implement long-term training, long-term capacity creation programs which
would ultimately put us in a position where we are building a domestic defense industry
in that country.”

Paramount Group launched a [4×4 version of its Mbombe armored personnel vehicle](https://www.military.africa/2019/02/paramount-group-to-set-up-arms-facilities-in-mena-signs-agreements/military.africa/2019/02/paramount-new-mbombe-4-secures-first-customer-at-idex-2019),
which Ichikowitz said had been designed for the operational requirements of Middle
East countries.

## Paramount Group to focus on MENA region

Mena countries are a big focus for the company and much of its product development
is based on specifications from clients in the region.

“We’ve seen a lot of our growth coming from Mena,” he said. “A lot of our product
is evolving based on current operational requirements from the region.”

The current geopolitical situation has enhanced the prospects for the South African
company to compete, he said.

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“It’s allowed companies like us to shine,” he said. “We’re finding we’re in a more
level playing field.”

“Absolutely it remains a big focus for us, it’s a niche we’re able to fill, and 
we will continue to pursue that to conclusion,” he said. “We are talking to governments
about all our capabilities.”

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