Israel Weapon Industries to establish manufacturing plant in the Netherlands alongside Dutch firm AIA
Under the planned cooperation, AIA will manufacture and assemble two IWI weapon platforms in a factory to be established in the Netherlands: the ARAD 5 rifle and the NEGEV UX
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), an SK Group company, and Netherlands-based defense company Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments (AIA) are planning to establish local manufacturing and assembly of IWI weapons and systems in the Netherlands, the companies announced. The plan combines Israeli defense technology and expertise with Dutch industrial capacity.
Under the planned cooperation, AIA will manufacture and assemble two IWI weapon platforms in a factory to be established in the Netherlands: the ARAD 5 rifle and the NEGEV UX. IWI will provide the underlying technology, product expertise and manufacturing know-how, while AIA will establish the Dutch manufacturing operation and the infrastructure to deliver and support the products.
The companies said the cooperation will establish a foundation for long-term domestic production, technical expertise and lifecycle support in the Netherlands.
“The future of defense manufacturing will be shaped by the ability to turn proven technology into operational capability where it is needed,” said SK Group Vice Chairman Ronen Hamudot. “We see this cooperation as an opportunity to bring our decades of experience developing and manufacturing weapon platforms for demanding operational environments into a new industrial setting.”
“A strong Dutch industrial base is fundamental to national security,” said AIA CEO Gerard Zondervan. “The Netherlands needs the ability to manufacture, develop expertise and support the defense systems on which its security depends. This cooperation is a step toward a future in which Dutch industry plays a greater role in delivering the defense capabilities our country needs.”
IWI, part of the SK Group, is the main supplier to the Israeli Army and Israeli Police, with combat-proven products used by the military, law enforcement and special forces in over 60 countries. AIA is a Dutch defense company developing and manufacturing ammunition, weapon systems, and counter-drone solutions, including remotely controlled weapon stations.