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M 6-20 UAE, L-M AGREE ON DEFENSE COOPERATION
PARIS — The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with
Lockheed Martin to develop the defense industry of the Gulf Cooperation
Council state.
The UAE emirate of Abu Dhabi has signed a memorandum of understanding
with Lockheed Martin that could pave the way for cooperation on a range of
aerospace and defense projects. The MoU, signed on Tuesday at the Paris Air
Show, called on Lockheed Martin to assist in the production of military
aircraft and engines.
The MoU was signed by Lockheed Martin and the UAE state-owned Mubadala
Development Co. On June 18, Mubadala signed a similar accord with Lockheed
Martin's rival, Boeing.
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"This MoU signifies our mutual interest to explore ways in which we may
both collaborate and address sustainment, maintenance, repair and overhaul,
engineering and technical support of military aircraft," Mubadala chief
operating officer Waleed Al Muhairi said.
Al Muhairi said Lockheed Martin would help Abu Dhabi maintain a range of
combat aircraft in the UAE Air Force. He cited the new F-16 Block 60
multi-role fighter, C-130H air transport, French-origin Mirage 2000-9
fighter and the British-origin Hawk air trainer.
"Jointly we would like to develop and align our activities to attract
other strategic partners to provide best value full-service, end-to-end,
military aircraft support," Al Muhairi said.
Industry sources said the UAE accords with Boeing and Lockheed Martin
were meant to transform the emirates into a regional aircraft maintenance
and supply center, particularly for Western aircraft. They said the UAE
would need a decade to acquire indigenous aerospace capabilities.
"The [Lockheed Martin] agreement is open to working in partnership with
other UAE entities and global aerospace organizations," Lockheed Martin vice
president Ralph Heath said. "It is a highly strategic move to position
ourselves with our affiliates in the region."