Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs, received in his office Wednesday Robert (Bob) S. Harward, Lockheed Martin’s Chief Executive in the Middle East, in the presence of the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Defense and senior officials.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the latest technology developments in the aerospace and defense industry and highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two sides, Emirates news agency WAM reported.
Al Bowardi was also briefed on the Emiratization and human capital development efforts being undertaken by Lockheed Martin to increase the number of highly skilled Emirati engineers in the aerospace, defense, and software development fields in the UAE.
Harward reaffirmed Lockheed Martin’s commitment to train and mentor young UAE engineers as vital elements for the future of the defense industry, with the ultimate aim of having Emiratis design, test, operate, and maintain all the cutting-edge systems supported by Lockheed Martin from its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
In another development and during a telephone call Wednesday, the UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs emphasized the importance of the United Kingdom’s role in resolving regional conflicts, and international efforts to maintain peace, highlighting the historical relations between the UK and the UAE.
Al Bowardi and James Heappey, Member of Parliament for Wells, and Minister for the Armed Forces at UK Ministry of Defense, discussed UAE-UK bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, particularly in the military sector, as part of the cooperation between their countries. They also talked about the current state of the region and efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
Al Bowardi underscored to the importance of increasing collaborations in organizing military exercises to advance efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and in exchanging military experiences to develop the efficiency and capabilities of their military forces.
The British Minister praised the UAE for the major strides it made in various fields, and expressed his eagerness to strengthen the ties between their countries, especially in defense and military fields, stressing the importance of maintaining security in GCC countries.
