PARIS,
June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and
Mubadala Development Company (MDC) of the Government of
Abu Dhabi signed a
memorandum of understanding today to expand their strategic relationship and
jointly explore opportunities for military aircraft sustainment in the
United
Arab Emirates.
"This MOU signifies our mutual interests to explore ways in which we may
both collaborate and address sustainment, maintenance, repair and overhaul,
engineering and technical support of military aircraft," said Waleed Al
Mokarrab Al Muhairi, COO, Mubadala Development Company. "We see an opportunity
in creating sustainment programs across several military platforms in the GCC
and MENA."
Together, Mubadala and Lockheed Martin have identified various military
aircraft airframes and engines as a part of a joint MRO business agreement.
"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 added.
The new support concept of Performance Based Logistics (PBL) being
considered by a number of nations provides an excellent opportunity for
Lockheed Martin to offer cost-effective and tailored support solutions for
customers in the Middle East and Southwest Asia regions.
"We are delighted to sign this MOU, allowing us to partner with Mubadala
Development Company. In addition to our joint pursuit in establishing a world
class regional support center, we will also collaborate to maximize future
sustainment opportunities throughout the international market place," said
Charles W. Moore Jr., vice president and deputy, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Global Sustainment.
In the agreement, Lockheed Martin will also explore participating with
Mubadala in its other aerospace development activity with particular attention
to research and development.
"This agreement further underscores Mubadala's desire to select partners
of global standing to achieve the economic diversification mandate of the Abu
Dhabi Government," said Al Muhairi.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is the one of the world's leading
companies in the design, development, production and support of advanced
military aircraft and related technologies and is the original equipment
manufacturer of the F-16 in service with the UAE Air Force, the C-130, and the
5TH Generation F-22 and F-35 aircraft.
Mubadala Development Company is a wholly owned investment vehicle of the
Government of Abu Dhabi. Its mandate is to generate sustainable economic
benefits through the development of business ventures related to a wide range
of sectors including aerospace and aviation in partnership with local,
regional and international investors.
Lockheed Martin is a major supplier of logistics systems and services to
military and civil government customers. The corporation provides solutions
for platform maintenance, modifications and repair, material readiness and
distribution, and global supply chain command and control.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6
billion.
For additional information, visit our Web sites:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com