Driving innovation: Stark Motors launches high mobility vehicle at Milipol Qatar 2024
Milipol Qatar Daily spoke with Adel Hajjaj, General Manager, Stark Motors, in an exclusive interview about the company’s latest launch and proudly made-in-Qatar vehicles presented on their stand
What are some of the main innovations you are presenting at Milipol Qatar this year?
This year we’re launching a brand new car. It’s a high mobility vehicle called the Stark HMV. This vehicle is for fast response, especially for security reasons, if needed to go to a situation, even if the terrain is quite rough, this vehicle can handle special terrain. We designed the whole vehicle and the whole structure of the vehicle ourselves. Kia Motors Defence built a special strong engine for the car. It looks very modern and assimilates the latest trends in commercial vehicles.
We also provide tools for the military, especially security agencies, police and the forces, such as additional tools to use on our special vehicles, for example that can be used to help remove obstacles. We’re also introducing safety search and rescue capabilities. Qatar’s search and rescue team is very active and very renowned. They’ve been to disaster areas in North Africa, dealt with floods and other interventions. Our vehicles have been very much in demand by that department. Now we are also looking into areas where we can do health services such as security ambulances. We are trying to fill a gap in the market. It’s been covered by imports for a long time.
What makes this new vehicle stand out on the market?
It satisfies the different areas, the different aspects. The first aspect is speed. It can be a fast car, despite the load of the armouring. The suspension system is very strong to hold about one and a half extra tonnes of steel and composite material. So that is very important. It also provides safety for whoever is in the vehicle. It can withstand, even the tires, certain bullets and engagements as such, and it can go through difficult and rough terrains, it is not just for urban roads. And it’s all designed in Qatar, from the design to assembly to inception to manufacturing, all of it. Except the engine, which is made in cooperation with the Kia Motors Defence.
Why is it strategic to launch this new vehicle at Milipol Qatar?
There is high exposure. Milipol Qatar is very renowned internationally. Some people from the region also attend Milipol Paris, this time it’s an advantage to have it here in Qatar where you can have a whole number of related agencies for safety and security. So we know the relevant client base is here. This is where it really matters. In addition to that, the public offering is very high, the public exposure, the media, the social media, are very present. So it also gives a vehicle for the public to be interested in.
It is also nice to have the younger people of Qatar thinking about engineering, specialised engineering, and expect to go into these fields, because this is how you build your legacy for these projects.
What are your main goals at Milipol Qatar?
Business and deals within Qatar. I think there is commercial value in this. We were the first company who did this in Qatar, this type of manufacturing, beginning only six or seven years ago. The goal is to build a legacy and confidence that you can manufacture in Qatar.
Do you have a message for the industry?
We have a message for industry in general: in Qatar capabilities are available. Global reach is available, and Milipol Qatar provides a good platform for Qatar’s international reputation. Let’s all have the confidence to build.