Pushing ahead: R&D and new markets

The result of an intensive R&D effort, the Streit-designed and manufactured mine-resistant and ambush- protected (IVIRAP) Jaguar, is being promoted as a fast-moving, agile and flexible command vehicle ideally suited to military applications. To maximise protection and survivability, Goutorov explains that the vehicle features a distinctive modular design with a monocoque V-hull armoured compartment and, crucially, an engine and suspension system that is independently fixed from that of the crew cabin.

Streit Group, the world's largest privately owned vehicle armouring company, now has an impressive global reach thanks to nine production and assembly plants in strategic locations that stretch all the way from Canada -where it was founded two decades ago- to the UAE. The company's vehicle portfolio includes personnel protection, cash- in-transit, law enforcement and tactical military vehicles. Armouring solutions are also provided for existing civilian platforms such as custom-built luxury sedans and SUVs.

Underlining the serious intent that the company has to further extend its market share, April 2012 saw the bringing online of a huge new armoured vehicle factory at Ras AI Khaimah in the UAE. This advanced production facility represents a step change in capability for Streit and, follows a large-scale investment of $218 million for phase one of a three-phase project. At 14 million square feet the factory ranks as the biggest facility of its type and, has more than doubled Streit's existing production capacity. The final two phases of the project… estimated at a cost of $32.7 million, are scheduled for completion in 2014.

A landmark year

Goutorov believes that 2012 has already been a landmark year for the business. "We have dramatically ramped up our cumulative production capacity to 520 vehicles a month, which means that we are well placed to meet rising demand from customers in over 100 countries." he says "The new facility at Ras AI Khaimah has taken our business to the next level by allowing us to support 40 vehicle types from one site at all stages of their design. Manufacturing and testing"

The company's extensive manufacturing base is also supplemented by a network of nine satellite offices; the latest of which Goutorov confirms has just opened in London to service prospective customers in the UK and mainland Europe. "We see this as an important stepping stone giving us an invaluable presence on the ground in the region." he adds.

Goutorov attributes the company's wider success to the lessons it has learnt over the past 20 years- which have been spent deploying thousands of customised security and civilian armoured vehicles in conflict zones- and the hundreds of lives that have been saved as a result. "The knowledge we have built up over the years has proved invaluable," he declares. "We are now able to tailor our vehicle solutions in line with the real challenges that customers face on the ground by carefully balancing the pressing need for a high level of protection with other considerations such as mobility".

Meet the Streit Group in Hall6 C441 at Eurosatory 2012.