Abu Dhabi: BAE Systems, the UK-based defence, aerospace and security company said they would focus on strengthening existing partnerships and forge new ones as defence spending goes up in the region due to emergence of Daesh and conflicts rage in Yemen and Iraq.
“Enhancing opportunities for our customers in the Middle East is an area we are continually focusing on. Strengthening existing local partnerships as well as forging new ones is high on our agenda,” said Martin Bennett, BAE Systems’ new Managing Director for Middle East, Africa and Turkey, speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi.
He said they would be delighted to form joint venture with the newly-formed Emirates Defence Industries Company (Edic) and are waiting for some direction from the government on this. “We would actively encourage that to happen. We currently would wait for some direction from the government and where exactly we go.”
Edic was launched last year with the integration of a number of defence companies from Mubadala Development Company, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Investment Group at the conclusion of the first phase of integration last year. Five more companies were added to the list later.
He said they are pleased to announce their internship programme with Mubadala and have five Emirati interns based at their military air business in North West England.
Bennett joins the team in Abu Dhabi to continue drive forward and evolve BAE Systems business in the region. He returns to the Middle East where he previously had a nine year stint as a director and then vice president for several key regional markets for BAE Systems.
