Caracal

Caracal International is a UAE-based firearms manufacturer headquartered in Abu Dhabi, operating under the EDGE Group — one of the largest defense conglomerates in the Middle East. Founded in 2006, the company produced the first pistols designed and manufactured in the United Arab Emirates. They quickly earned military recognition: the Caracal F passed the rigorous NATO D14 testing protocol and was adopted as the service sidearm of the armed forces of the UAE, Bahrain, and Jordan. Today, Caracal stands as one of the defining symbols of the Gulf region's growing defense manufacturing capability.

History and the First UAE-Made Pistol

The Caracal pistol project began in 2002, when Austrian designer Wilhelm Bubits — previously known for the Steyr M — partnered with UAE military experts with a clear objective: develop a modern combat pistol built to the strictest NATO standards. Caracal International L.L.C. was formally registered in Abu Dhabi in 2006, and the first production-ready pistols were unveiled at IDEX in February 2007. That same year, initial orders for 25,000 units of the Caracal F in 9mm were placed by various armies and security forces across the Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

Caracal Pistols: Technical Highlights

The Caracal F and C are semi-automatic pistols chambered in 9x19mm (also available in .40 S&W and .357 SIG), featuring a polymer frame and a low bore axis that measurably reduces felt recoil. Standardized components ensure broad compatibility with widely used systems, including extensive optics mounting options, while interchangeable backstraps provide ergonomic fit for hands of all sizes. Caracal pistols have successfully passed the Bundeswehr's WTD 91 shooting and certification trials — widely regarded as among the most demanding qualification standards in the defense industry.

Expanding the Lineup: Rifles and Sniper Systems

Caracal today is far more than a pistol manufacturer. The company produces assault rifles, submachine guns, and sniper rifles — including the CSR 338 and CSR 50 — all manufactured in the UAE for military and law enforcement customers. Following acquisition by the EDGE Group, Caracal also oversees the Merkel and C.G. Haenel brands: established European manufacturers with long histories in hunting and combat firearms.

Caracal at Militaria.pl

At Militaria.pl you'll find replicas, accessories, and gear associated with the Caracal brand — a manufacturer that embodies the rapid defense industry growth of the Middle East and produces pistols that meet rigorous NATO standards. Browse the available products and discover a brand that, in just 20 years, has grown into a regional leader in small arms production.