The US defence company Raytheon intends to focus on the region despite the US suspending an arms deal with Saudi Arabia affecting some of its sales.
The US administration last year suspended some arms sales to Saudi Arabia due to civilian casualties in the war in Yemen.
“We intend to continue to comply with rules and regulations and work with countries and figure out the best possible way to answer their needs, supply them with capabilities while never ever putting into question our support and compliance with US requirements,” said John Harris, the chief executive of Raytheon International.
The maker of Patriot missiles is forging ahead with plans to boost its international sales, including those to the Middle East. The company’s international business, which represents 41 per cent of the company’s US$36.9 billion backlog, is evenly split between the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
“We expect to grow our international sales year over year,” said Mr Harris, declining to give forecasts.
Raytheon’s Middle East business has yet to be affected by lower oil prices, which has dented some defence budgets in the region, including that of Saudi Arabia.
“We have not seen any impact [on sales from lower oil prices],” said Mr Harris.
The company has in the past sold “significant work” around air missile defence, command and control, mission support, and precision-guided missiles to the region, he added, without giving specific figures.
“We are not only a meaningful player here in the region, but around the world we have 10,000 kilometres of both land and maritime border protection,” said Mr Harris. “We see significant demand here in the region around that capability.”
The company is seeking partnerships and joint ventures in the region to help manufacture products and provide services locally.
“One of the things we are doing and part of our overall strategy is looking at how we can continue to build capacity not only from the US but also here from the region,” said Mr Harris.
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[ Idex 2017 ]
■ Photo gallery: Idex 2017 in Abu Dhabi, day three
■ AK-47 rifle maker Kalashnikov has UAE factory in its sights
■ Photo gallery: Sights from the second day at Idex 2017
■ UAE and Russia to develop fighter jet
■ UAE Armed Forces awards deals valued at Dh6.91 billion
■ Thales set to sign deal with UAE Armed Forces this week
■ US military defence technology firm Harris lands UAE Armed Forces contract
■ Photo gallery: Idex 2017 opens in Abu Dhabi
■ Dh4.41bn worth of arms deals struck on day one of defence show
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dalsaadi@thenational.ae
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