MBDA, IAI Sign Missile Defense Accord
Jul 22, 2004
MBDA, Europe's leading guided missile systems company, and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore technological cooperation in the area of missile defense. Under the MoU, MBDA and IAI will evaluate mutually reinforcing technologies and experience in order to support future ballistic missile interceptor system concepts.
The agreement was signed by MBDA's Chief Executive Officer, Marwan Lahoud, and Moshe Keret, President and CEO of IAI, at the Farnborough Air Show. Under the accord, both companies have undertaken to examine their respective capabilities and expertise to see how best to evolve active defense systems to counter future threats.
"Existing systems are well adapted to counter current and foreseen threats, but the future will certainly see a new generation of ballistic missiles with even more advanced capabilities. It is, therefore, imperative that we start thinking now about the technologies that will be needed to enable us to combat these threats. IAI and MBDA are united in this view and in the belief that together they can develop the innovations which will result in effective solutions", Marwan Lahoud said.
"IAI and MBDA have a very close relationship and the two companies have complementary technologies and experience. We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership further to support future missile
interceptor system concepts," Moshe Keret stated.
IAI is Israel's leading aerospace and defense company with extensive experience in theatre missile defense, mainly through the Arrow missile system, a fully-operational ATBM (Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile) system.
MBDA is prime contractor for the extended air defence SAMP/T system which features the Aster Block 1 missile, the only European missile with anti-ballistic missile capabilities.
With an annual turnover exceeding 2 billion Euro, a forward order book of over 14 billion Euro and over 70 customers world wide, MBDA is a world leading, global missile systems company. MBDA currently has 45 missile system and countermeasure programmes in operational service and has proven its ability as prime contractor to head major multi-national projects.
MBDA is jointly owned by BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and FINMECCANICA (25%).
IAI is a world leading aerospace and defence company with an annual turnover exceeding $2 billion and a forward order book of close to $6 billion.
For further information, please contact:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corp. VP for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 935-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@iai.co.il
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