LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Caracal and Wilcox Industries have announced today a new strategic partnership that will see Caracal firearms produced for the first time in the United States from Wilcox’s world-class manufacturing facility in Newington, New Hampshire.
On the new partnership, Hamad Al Ameri, CEO of Caracal said, “This partnership takes Caracal to the next level, and supports our long-term strategic goals for the United States. Our two highly-experienced teams will be working hand-in-hand, collaborating and sharing expertise on the design and development as well as the manufacturing and testing of new, exciting Caracal products customised for the US market.”
Wilcox is well-known to the industry as an innovation leader when it comes to tactical products developed to support special forces units in the United States and globally, and are highly sought after by many of the top gun makers.
Under the terms of the partnership, Caracal’s US-based subsidiary, Caracal USA will co-locate its headquarters with Wilcox, with its Idaho office serving as its marketing arm. Target weapons for production at the facility include the 5.56mm CAR 814 direct impingement, semi-automatic rifle and the CAR 816 short stroke gas-piston semi-automatic rifle, both of which are designed for the US sporting market. Select-fire variants of these rifles will also be made for the defence and security market. Caracal’s new generation Enhanced F 9mm pistol will also be made in the facility. The production of the CAR family of rifles will also enable Caracal USA and Wilcox to now compete for US government arms contracts.
Speaking on the strategic partnership, Mr. Jim Teetzel, founder and CEO of Wilcox Industries, said, “We are proud to have Caracal working and collaborating alongside our team. This unique partnership represents the future of the industry, where leading experts from around the world unite to develop cutting-edge products for the market.”
The partnership will also provide Caracal with manufacturing and distribution rights for the Wilcox fusion system and the 40mm Grenade Launcher Module (GLM).
Caracal CEO Hamad Al Ameri and Wilcox Industries CEO Jim Teetzel today following their announcement of a new strategic partnership that will see Caracal firearms produced for the first time in the United States from Wilcox’s world-class manufacturing facility in Newington, New Hampshire.
Caracal and Wilcox will be showcasing their latest products at SHOT Show 2016 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 19th to 22nd. For members of the media and industry buyers, Caracal will have live demonstrations of select products at Industry Day at The Range located in Boulder City, Nevada on January 18th.
Wilcox is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of high quality tactical equipment for use by military and law enforcement in the United States. Product lines include Night Vision Mounting Systems, Small Arms Systems, the PATRIOT Hybrid Life Support System and Combat Systems including an accessory line that significantly enhances rifle modularity, all of which present a significant tactical advantage for the end user.
Caracal is the only OEM small arms company in the Middle East, and it is now being backed by a strong industrial parent company, the Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC). This unique arrangement allows for Caracal to receive maximum resources and support in order to drive the next phase of growth for the company, including its new US presence.
Attendees can visit Caracal at its booth 2829 in Hall 1and Wilcox at its booth 7208 in Hall 1 during SHOT Show.
Tags: Caracal, Wilcox Ind
I don’t know if Caracal makes anything for the civilian market or anything that would be of interest to the civilian market, but if they do, does that mean we’ll be seeing some Caracal guns and/or accessories on the market sometime this year? If so, any idea on whether they’ll be affordable for those of on a budget or will they be like most other import guns and run for at least $1,000 on the low end? I ask because as much as I like ARs (and AKs to a degree) it would be nice to see something else on the market besides ARs & AKs and for a price that I could realistically afford.
So why would we pick an Abu Dhabi AR over say….a Colt, LMT, or KAC?
or BCM, SW, Spikes, Remington……..etc, etc, etc, etc.
I’d pick it if it was better quality, performed better, or fit my needs better than another brand. The same reasons I’d pick any particular consumer good over another.
The chances of an Abu Dhabi gun maker surpassing the likes of KAC, BCM, LMT etc in the AR field is highly questionable.
Did you mean to reply to me?
Well, I was almost excited by the announcement…
Read great things about the Caracal F, and wanted to check one out. Then they had The Recall. I figured that killed the company’s chances here. I guess the pistols will still come to the US via Steyr Arms?
So which piston gun is it? The blatant HK416 ripoff or the blatant SIG 516 ripoff?