Raytheon Company, a
U.S.-based technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil
government and cyber security markets, is marking its 10th year of working with
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) in the United Arab Emirates.
“Growing our relationship
with Abu Dhabi Ship Building is a priority for us,” Christopher Davis, president
of Raytheon International Inc., UAE, told Gulf News Journal recently. “ADSB is the local
UAE partner we’ve done the greatest amount of work with to date in terms of
actual contractual activity. They’re clearly a leader in regional logistical
support; and when we think about how we can better serve our customers,
partnership with local experts just makes sense.”
Abu Dhabi Ship Building
specializes in the construction, repair and refit of naval, military and commercial vessels. Leveraging its highly strategic, centralized
location in the Arabian Gulf region, ADSB is rapidly consolidating its position
as the leading shipbuilder and support contractor for all naval, military and commercial operators in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Raytheon’s association with
ADSB started in 2006, when the two companies began integrating Rolling Airframe Missiles onto the UAE’s Baynunah class of ships.
“Our focus continues to be integrating
our Rolling Airframe Missiles, along with Evolved Seasparrow Missiles and
launchers, onto the UAE’s Baynunah class of ships,” Davis said. “We are always looking at ways we can expand upon that
relationship to bring the right defensive solutions to the UAE navy.”
Raytheon boasts 850
employees working across 10 countries in the Middle East. It has been in
the UAE for more than 30 years and in the region for 50 years.
“We’re proud of the fact
that those years have been uninterrupted, and we’re committed partners when it
comes to increasing the security of our allies.” Davis said.
Even in the middle of a significant drop in oil prices, which is feared to adversely affect the Middle
East economy, Raytheon maintains its strong hold in the region with its
deep-rooted relations with its partners.
“There will always be other
factors that influence the ebb and flow of growth across the globe, but we are
focused on maturing partnerships and increasing protection,” Davis said. “That’s what matters.”
Currently Raytheon is focused
on increasing the UAE’s naval strength, whether that’s through innovative
design, new defense capabilities or the development of a new ship class.
“There is a great synergy
that’s reached when you build ships and weapon systems in an integrated fashion, and the UAE navy will reap the benefits of our close cooperation with ADSB,” Davis said. “Raytheon is committed to our allies in the Middle East. We
have been working with our in-region partners for 50 years, and we’ll be here
for the next 50 as well.”
