Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
A UAE-manufactured airport fire truck is now in service at more than 150 airports worldwide, highlighting the country’s growing strength in advanced industrial exports, according to firefighting equipment producer and supplier NAFFCO.
The NAFFCO FALCON 4x4 is built to meet international NFPA 414 standards and complies with the strictest global requirements for airport firefighting, said Mohammad Ahmad Al Khatibeh, Marketing Director – Vehicles Division at NAFFCO. It is among the world-class innovations showcased at this year’s Make it in the Emirates in Abu Dhabi.
“The truck has been exported to over 40 countries,” Al Khatibeh said. “Demand continues to grow year after year, and we expect to become the number one in the market soon.”
Manufactured predominantly in the UAE, the vehicle reflects the country’s drive to localise advanced manufacturing capabilities under its industrial strategy.
“The chassis is made entirely in the UAE, and the body is fully manufactured locally as well, with only a few minor components sourced internationally,” he said. “We estimate the local manufacturing content exceeds 75 to 80%.”
Only about five to six manufacturers in the world are capable of producing airport firefighting trucks of this calibre — and the UAE is one of them. “Today, we rank among the top global manufacturers of this specialised vehicle,” Al Khatibeh said.
Building on FALCON 4X4’s success, NAFFCO is now looking to introduce AI-powered enhancements to its next fleet of trucks.
“The upcoming model, expected within the next two months, will be integrated with an AI system to monitor all internal vehicle systems,” Al Khatibeh said. “The system is ready and currently undergoing prototype testing.”
He added that a major redesign of the vehicle is planned for 2027.
“Our future roadmap includes a full redesign of the vehicle’s interior and exterior,” he said. “By mid-2027, it will feature significantly different and more advanced technologies.”
