The UAE’s military capabilities received a boost yesterday as Raytheon started production of a laser-guided rocket ordered by Tawazun, the strategic investment firm focused on defence and strategic manufacturing owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi.
Tawazun, which has developed pistols and radar systems, gave the US$117 million contract to the US defence contractor last year for the Talon rockets, Raytheon said in an emailed statement yesterday.
The UAE is among the world’s largest arms importers. Every year, contractors from all over the world present the latest in defence equipment in Abu Dhabi at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference known as Idex.
Military spending by the UAE is expected to double by next year, according to a study conducted in February by the UK-based IHS Jane’s, an intelligence provider to militaries, government, intelligence agencies and industries. Imports are expected to touch $3.13 billion by 2015, more than double the $1.4bn spent in 2009.
Tawazun’s contract obliges Raytheon to incorporate high-precision laser technology known as Talon into the UAE Armed Forces key divisions. The technology is especially useful for “counter-insurgency and swarming boat defence missions,” Raytheon said.
Raytheon is also “exploring options” to integrate the technology into armoured vehicles designed and manufactured by Tawazun, it added.
During the testing an development phase, Raytheon said it had test-fired 35 Talon rockets from AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.
Government spending on defence is expected to increase with the mandatory military service introduced this year. The conscription took force after Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE, ordered Cabinet to draw up a bill for a new national defence and reserve force.
In August, the UAE passed an anti-terrorism law that includes harsh punishments for acts related to extremism.
Shares of defence contracting firms have risen this year as heads of state join together in a world coalition against the jihadist group, Islamic State, in Iraq and Syria.
General Dynamics, the Pentagon’s No 3 contractor, has risen 32 per cent this year to trade at $126.85 on Monday. Raytheon, the world’s biggest missile’s manufacturer, has risen 11.9 per cent since January to $101.51 on Monday. Italy’s Finmeccanica has jumped 37.7 per cent this year to trade at €7.58 in the same period.
halsayegh@thenational.ae
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