AL TAIF, a strategic partner of the UAE Armed Forces responsible for the maintenance, support and technical readiness of all its tracked and wheeled vehicles, provides comprehensive lifecycle support, engineering solutions, upgrades, modernisation, and technology integration across a wide range of defence platforms and systems. Abdelqadir Aqeel Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer, AL TAIF, speaks about their vision, to be the premier Centre of Excellence for comprehensive lifecycle support for defence systems in the MENA region and beyond. Excerpts from the interview:
AL TAIF aims to accelerate technological development, become a one-stop-shop for business integration, and remain at the forefront of advanced technology solutions in Land MRO.
Abdelqadir Aqeel Al Ali
Chief Executive Officer, AL TAIF
Abdulqadir Al Ali is Chief Executive Officer of AL TAIF, a subsidiary of EDGE that specialises in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of military armoured vehicles and ground support machinery. Al Ali is playing a dynamic role in shaping and steering the strategic direction of AL TAIF Company and implementing the company’s vision and mission.
MRO services are crucial for extending the lifecycle of land platforms, heavy utility vehicles, and ground support equipment. How successful has AL TAIF been in achieving its mission of supporting the operational readiness of land platforms?
AL TAIF has more than 14 years of experience in comprehensive lifecycle support and precision training solutions in Land MRO. The company combines local and international expertise, sector-specific knowledge and an ability to offer multi-platform support to deliver end-to-end solutions. We provide complex, extensive, and premium-quality maintenance services across a comprehensive portfolio, delivered against rigorous timelines in order to maximise asset availability.
Our customers and industry OEM partners trust us to optimise performance on all products and provide critical lifecycle services, enabling the Armed Forcesto focus on their mission priorities.
Our technical training capabilities complement our offering by equipping operators with an in-depth understanding of legacy and new technologies. We have highly skilled and experienced technical training staff that use innovative teaching methods, such as augmented reality, to help our clients toachieve mission readiness.
In addition, our supply chain management team provides a range of services, including warehousing, inventory management and procurement.We leverage big data and analytics to develop the most effective maintenance forecasts and schedules.
Could you share with us some of the major milestones in AL TAIF’s success journey over the last one and half decade?
Our most significant milestone has been becoming a strategic partner of the UAE Armed Forces responsible for the maintenance, support, and technical readiness of all its tracked and wheeled vehicles.
We are also proud of our growing list of international technical certifications that govern our MRO processes and help us maintain the highest quality levels. These include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 1725, and 45001.
What are the services and facilities offered by the MRO division of AL TAIF for the military sector? Could you elaborate on the advanced technologies and platforms used?
Through our nine state-of-the-art facilities, strategically located for agility and flexibility, we can address all types of lifecycle support requirements quickly and efficiently.
Our MRO services includes, repair, rebuild and overhauling to be executed on a variety of wheeled and tracked vehicle platforms for the UAE Armed Forces. Capabilities include:machining of engines;electronics and electrical repair of vehicles and components; rebuild of components, such as engine transmission and differentials; vehicle and component upgrade; component refurbishment;and interior and exterior bodywork, painting, and welding.We specialise in heavy and light vehicles,equipment,and small arms.
This life cycle is managed through an integrated ERP system to manage and control the company’s daily routines that include work orders and demand management, supply chain and procurement, human capital and more. The system is utilised for business intelligence, optimum resource management, efficiencies, MRP and financial control to ensure the continuity of best-in-class services and development.
AL TAIF provides engineering solutions, upgrades, modernisation, and technology integration across a wide range of defence platforms and systems. Could you tell us more about your engineering division?
Our engineering division comprises a materials testing laboratory, a calibration laboratory, and a fabrication workshop.
Operated according to global best practices, our materials testing laboratory conducts critical assessment of parts and components in areas such as material composition and structure against specified criteria and intended application. Its services include failure analysis, spectroscopy, metallographic examination, non-destructive testing (NDT), oil analysis, polymer identification and thermal analysis, and corrosion tests.
Meanwhile, our state-of-the-art calibration laboratory provides a superior level of assurance in the quality of our work.
We also run a dedicated workshop to fabricate customised products and parts using materials such as mild steel, aluminium, stainless steel, and brass. The facility has five main areas: machining, sheet metal work, welding, vehicle modification, and foundry.
What are your visions and priorities for the company over the next one decade? What is the roadmap ahead?
We have big plans for AL TAIF in the coming years. Our vision is to be the premier Centre of Excellence for comprehensive lifecycle support for defence systems in the MENA region and beyond.
Ultimately, our aim is to accelerate our technological development, become a one-stop-shop for business integration, and remain at the forefront of advanced technology solutions.
