Middle Eastern countries are getting rid of old systems and buying new ones because they are becoming obsolete, said Florent Duleux, the regional vice president of MBDA. Reem Mohammed / The National
Middle Eastern countries are getting rid of old systems and buying new ones because they are becoming obsolete, said Florent Duleux, the regional vice president of MBDA. Reem Mohammed / The National

Business

Idex 2017: Missile maker MBDA targets €1bn-plus sales in Middle East amid upgrades

Middle Eastern countries are getting rid of old systems and buying new ones because they are becoming obsolete with the evolution of technology.

Dania Saadi

February 23, 2017

The European missile maker MBDA expects to maintain at least €1 billion (Dh3.88bn) in annual sales in the Middle East, its biggest export market, as countries upgrade their missile systems, a company official said.

MBDA had over €3bn of orders from the Middle East in 2015, exceeding annual averages, said Florent Duleux, vice president Middle East. The 2016 figures have yet to be disclosed. In 2015, MBDA had a total turnover of €2.9bn and is aiming to reach €4bn in annual sales by 2020.

“They [Middle Eastern countries] are getting rid of old systems and buying new ones because they are becoming obsolete with the evolution of technology people have to reinvest in defence,” said Mr Duleux in an interview at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi.

MBDA, which competes with the likes of Raytheon from the US, was formed in 2001 through a partnership between UK’s BAE Systems with a 37.5 per cent stake, Airbus with a 37.5 per cent stake and Italy’s Finmeccanica (since renamed Leonardo) with the remainder.​

Half of the company’s exports go to the Middle East and the other half is sold mainly in Asia.

Domestic sales, which are half of total sales, are concentrated in Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain.

The company did see an effect from lower oil prices on defence spending in the region, but is adjusting its prices to meet client needs.

“Oil prices has definitely an affect,” said Mr Duleux. “We address the need for high ratio of effectiveness versus afford­ability.”

The company is also increasingly cooperating with local companies to boost its sales.

It struck a deal to transfer technology to UAE company Siham Al Khaleej Technology to produce a weapon system called Siham3.

The company is also talking to Abu Dhabi-owned Emirates Defence Industries Company (Edic) and the emirate’s Tawazun Holding to have more partnerships with UAE companies.

“We are in constant discussion with Edic and Tawazun and hopefully we will able to announce sooner than later a symbolic, significant transfer of technology and systems to be built here in the UAE,” said Mr Duleux.

“Hopefully, next year we can announce something.”

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Idex 2017

■ Nimr wins contract to supply armoured vehicles to UAE Armed Forces

■ Dh344 million in contracts signed on final day of defence show

■ Fourth day brings Dh3.42 billion in new deals

■ Photo gallery: Idex 2017 in Abu Dhabi, day three

■ AK-47 rifle maker Kalashnikov has UAE factory in its sights

■ Photo gallery: Sights from the second day at Idex 2017

■ UAE and Russia to develop fighter jet

■ UAE Armed Forces awards deals valued at Dh6.91 billion

■ Thales set to sign deal with UAE Armed Forces this week

■ US military defence technology firm Harris lands UAE Armed Forces contract

■ Photo gallery: Idex 2017 opens in Abu Dhabi

■ Dh4.41bn worth of arms deals struck on day one of defence show

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dalsaadi@thenational.ae

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School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

BORDERLANDS

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Director: Eli Roth

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