Arms maker mulls missiles PhD program in UAE

Abu Dhabi - The UAE placed its initial contract for Marte Mk 2/N and in 2009

European defence company MBDA is mulling the idea of collaborating with UAE universities to develop a post-graduate studies on missiles and missile systems.
This was disclosed to Khaleej Times by Florent Duleux, general manager of MBDA Middle East, on the sidelines of the International Defence Exposition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Duleux said: "We've already started a pilot program with Tawazun (Abu Dhabi-based investment firm) to welcome young engineers at the MBDA facility in France. This is a test project, small-scale at the moment, but we are already discussing with local (UAE) universities to finalise a PhD or a master's module dedicated to missiles and missile system."
"The idea is to propose a global partnership not only with us but also with other defence suppliers who will also be involved in training and education," said the regional top official of MBDA, a multi-national defence company based in France.
The MBDA, an exhibitor at Idex since its first edition, is an integrated European defence company with three major aeronautical and defence shareholders - BAE Systems, Airbus Group, and Finmeccanica. It works with over 90 armed forces worldwide and has over 10,000 employees in France, UK, Italy, Germany and the US.
Explaining the idea of a post-graduate studies on missile systems, Duleux said: "Technology transfer is important in this type of industry. We are committed to the UAE and we have already accepted two to three Emirati students every year since 2014. Now we want to increase the number of students and engineers we receive and develop the program into the specialisation stage."
Meanwhile, MBDA has secured a follow-on order worth Dh343.8million from the UAE government for the supply of additional Marte Mk 2/N anti-ship missiles to the UAE Naval Forces.
The missiles are capable to strike targets at ranges in excess of 30kilometres. The missile flies a fire-and-forget, sea-skimming profile using mid-course inertial guidance and radar homing
Duleux explained fire-and-forget is "a missile guidance technology which does not require further guidance after launch (such as illumination of the target or wire guidance), thus eliminating the vulnerability of the launcher from being exposed to counter-firing."
The UAE placed its initial contract for Marte Mk 2/N and in 2009. At this year's Idex, MBDA also unveiled "a made-in-the UAE innovative and cost-effective weapon system called Siham3 with a comprehensive and stand-alone anti-air and anti-surface capability to all types of warships."
Siham3 is completed with an MBDA Twin Air Defence Mistral missile launcher on a single mounting and will allow for a significant reduction in the ship's installation requirement because of its single mounted system.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
 

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