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LAAD 2011 Defence & Security News - BAE Systems |
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Thursday,
April 14, 2011, 11:58 AM |
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BAE Systems is keen to work more closely with Brazilian industry
to transfer technology and skills. |
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Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil – mutually beneficial industrial
partnerships will be central to the expansion of BAE Systems’
presence in Brazil, according to Alan Garwood, the company’s
Group Business Development Director.
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Type
22 frigate
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Speaking
at the 2011 Latin America Aerospace and Defence (LAAD)
show in Rio, Garwood says the world’s second largest
defence and security company is keen to work more closely
with Brazilian industry to transfer technology and skills.
“The development of our presence in Australia, India,
Saudi Arabia, the UK and the US is evidence of our commitment
to creating indigenous defence capability in markets around
the world,” he says.
BAE
Systems is developing its business in countries which
are committed to defence and security, welcome foreign
investment and which posses a skilled workforce. “The
economic strength and growing defence investment in Latin
America makes it attractive to us,” adds Garwood.
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Niteroi
Class frigate Brazil Brazilian Navy
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In
the last 12 months BAE Systems has made a joint proposal
with the UK Government for the Brazilian Navy’s re-equipment
programme. Elsewhere in Latin America, last year BAE Systems
opened an office in Santiago, Chile, and secured a two year
extended agreement with Chilean ship build and repair organisation
ASMAR to support the country’s Type 22 and Type 23
frigates.
BAE Systems has its largest ever presence at LAAD 2011 and
its ‘Home of Innovation’ exhibit
highlights the company’s cutting edge defence and
security capabilities. “Whether it’s the new
Global Combat Ship or non lethal lasers to deter pirate
attacks on commercial vessels, innovation is at the heart
of what BAE Systems does,” comments Garwood. The company
has a long history of developing some of the world’s
most iconic technologies including Concorde and the Harrier
Jet.
BAE Systems has had an office in Brasilia since 1998, which
is headed by Ana Paula Cordeiro. In support of its growing
Brazilian aspirations, the company has added two former
Brazilian armed forces leaders to its local team. Antonio
Burgos is the company’s Director for Military Affairs
and Carlos Guimaraes its Director for Naval programmes. |
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BAE Systems’ Brazil office has
previously provided support to the Brazilian Armed Forces
for naval guns, radars and armoured vehicles. The company’s
involvement with Brazil can be traced back to the Niteroi
Class frigates purchased in the 1970s by the Brazilian navy
from BAE Systems’ legacy business, VT Shipbuilding.
“These
Niteroi frigates have served the Brazilian Navy well and
the current naval modernisation tender comes at an interesting
time for Brazil,” says Garwood.
“This
purchase is not just about acquiring naval vessels,”
he says. “In a broader sense it’s a significant
opportunity for Brazil to develop its defence and security
industry through the transfer of high end technology and
skills. Key to Brazil’s global economic competitiveness
will be further enhancing its manufacturing capability in
added value industrial sectors such as these,” he
concludes. |
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