Pakistan’s Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) and Egypt’s Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) have signed a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at EDEX 2025, opening new commercial pathways for joint manufacturing, technology transfer, and defence market expansion. The agreement positions both organizations to enhance their competitiveness in regional and global defence markets through coordinated industrial development.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Asad Kamal, CEO of GIDS, and Major General Eng. Abdelrahman Abdelazim Othman, General Director of AOI, in a ceremony attended by senior officials from both sides.
Market-Oriented Partnership to Boost Regional Defence Manufacturing
The agreement establishes a framework for co-production initiatives, industrial integration, and export-driven collaboration, reflecting the demand for cost-efficient, indigenous defence technologies across Middle Eastern and African markets.
During the signing ceremony, AOI Chairman Major General Eng. Mokhtar Abdellatif stressed that AOI aims to utilize this partnership to deepen local manufacturing, localize advanced technologies, and enhance Egypt’s position as a competitive defence producer in regional markets.
He noted that AOI’s industrial infrastructure, supported by modern manufacturing plants and evolving R&D capabilities, provides a strong foundation for broadening cooperation with GIDS across multiple defence domains.
GIDS Sees Strong Market Synergy With AOI’s Industrial Ecosystem
GIDS CEO Asad Kamal highlighted the commercial potential of the partnership, stating that the Pakistani company views AOI as a strategic industrial ally capable of jointly serving African, Middle Eastern, and international customers.
Senior GIDS officials emphasized that the company is ready to integrate its combat-proven technologies, including UAVs, guided weapons, electronic warfare solutions, and surveillance systems, into AOI’s expansive industrial ecosystem. They underscored that the collaboration aligns with GIDS’ broader strategy to scale exports, expand market presence, and bring high-tech systems to new customers through co-production and joint marketing mechanisms.
Business Scope: Technology Transfer, Joint Development & Export Growth
The MoU outlines a commercial cooperation roadmap focusing on:
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Industrial localization and technology transfer
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Joint R&D programs for competitive market offerings
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Co-production of high-demand defence systems
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Integration of advanced Pakistani technologies into AOI factories
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Collaborative marketing efforts targeting regional and global buyers
The partnership is expected to create new market opportunities, reduce production costs, and improve turnaround cycles by leveraging each organization’s specialized strengths.
Company Background: GIDS as Pakistan’s Premier Defence Export Entity
Global Industrial & Defence Solutions is Pakistan’s leading state-owned defence export company, representing top national R&D and production organizations. GIDS has steadily grown its footprint in international defence markets through high-value, cost-effective solutions.
Key Competitive Capabilities
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Shahpar-II, Uqaab series
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Guided Weapons & Loitering Munitions
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Electronic Warfare & C4I systems
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Surveillance, security and naval systems
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Missile subsystems and precision-strike technologies
GIDS has built a reputation for reliability in emerging markets by offering products that combine affordability, operational performance, and scalable manufacturing.
Company Background: AOI as a Regional Industrial Powerhouse
The Arab Organization for Industrialization remains one of the largest defence manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa, operating numerous subsidiaries specializing in land systems, aerospace, electronics, and dual-use industries.
AOI’s Industrial Strengths
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Armored vehicles and land systems (Fahd APC, ST-100, ST-500)
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Aerospace production and UAV programs
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Advanced electronics, sensors, and optics
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Missile system support industries
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Smart and civilian industrial technologies
AOI’s manufacturing scale and export-focused strategy position it as a key partner for companies seeking access to African and Arab defence markets.
Market Impact: A High-Potential Partnership for Regional Defence Growth
The collaboration between GIDS and AOI is expected to:
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Expand joint export opportunities in high-demand markets
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Enhance both companies’ competitive positioning against global suppliers
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Increase industrial capacity for low-cost, high-performance defence systems
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Drive new investments in technology localization
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Strengthen Pakistan–Egypt commercial defence ties
As EDEX 2025 continues to foster major industry collaborations, the GIDS–AOI MoU stands out as an agreement with clear commercial potential, aligning business interests with long-term defence-industrial growth across two key regional markets.
