Date posted: 12/18/2008*

Raytheon Company has been awarded a not-to-exceed $3.3 billion order to provide the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement includes whole life support and training.

“For 25 years, we have provided advanced technology and innovation to the UAE,” said William H. Swanson, Raytheon Chairman and CEO. "Today, we are honored that the UAE government has entrusted us to deliver this unique capability to support the defense of their country.”

Advanced technology, significant benefits
"Patriot’s advanced technology provides significant benefits in system capability, reliability, sustainability and affordability to U.S. and allied forces around the world," said Raytheon IDS President Daniel L. Smith. “With this order, the UAE joins 11 other countries that rely on Patriot to provide a key element of their national defense.”

Raytheon IDS will manage the order and much of the work will be performed at the Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, Mass. IDS worked with the U.S. and UAE governments over the past year to develop this agreement. The U.S. Government approved the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of Patriot capabilities including Patriot GEM-T and PAC-3 missiles. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., issued the order to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) on 17 December 2008.

Proven in combat
Raytheon’s Patriot has been the primary air and missile defense system for the U.S. Army since the mid-1980s. It became a household word in 1991 for its ability to shoot down SCUD missiles fired from Iraq at targets in Saudi Arabia and Israel during the first Gulf War — Operation Desert Storm.

Since its fielding, Patriot components have undergone a series of hardware and software enhancements advancing the system with new technologies and capabilities to ensure its effectiveness against all known and emerging threats.

Trusted by allies
As a further indication of its reliability and reputation, 10 other allies have purchased and deployed the Patriot as a key component of their air and missile defense programs ensuring the safety and security of their citizens, homelands and critical assets. These partners include: The Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Taiwan, Greece, Spain and South Korea. Several are in the process of upgrading their systems, and other nations are considering acquiring it.

Raytheon has built a relationship with the UAE since the company opened its first office in Abu Dhabi in 1983, and subsequently delivered the Hawk Air Defense System in 1987. Raytheon has had a continuous presence in the UAE for more than 20 years.

Global team of partners, suppliers
"Demand for the upgraded Patriot system is supported by our global team of partners and suppliers,” said Sanjay Kapoor, Raytheon IDS vice president of Patriot Programs. “The employees of Raytheon and all our supply partners stand ready to deliver these systems with the product quality and technical excellence for which we are well known.”