Lockheed Martin and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration in Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) systems. Under this collaboration, the companies will explore potential joint opportunities in areas such as research and development, production, marketing and other activities. Both companies will establish an executive steering committee and working groups for the implementation of this MOU and cooperation.
Boaz Levy, IAI’s President & CEO, commented, “The MOU entered today is a strategic agreement for us. Combining the development capabilities and the vast know-how of Lockheed Martin and IAI experience accumulated over the years in IAMD systems will create win-win opportunities for both sides. IAI looks forward in exploring this cooperation and optimizing the possibilities in it.”
Tim Cahill, Lockheed Martin Senior Vice President, Global Business Development: “Our long-standing relationship with the State of Israel and its defense industries opens new opportunities for Lockheed Martin, aimed to expand our businesses around the world while delivering unmatched IAMD capabilities to our global customers. This new Memorandum of Understanding is yet another step in our strategy for cooperation with IAI, as a partner in some of our key programs.”
Some sources said that the production of the next batch of Arrow 3 parts will go to Lockheed Martin, to be followed by a contract that will make Lockheed Martin the partner of IAI in the manufacturing of the Arrow-4. The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), in the Directorate of Defense R&D (MAFAT) of the Israel Ministry of Defense, and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), have commenced the development of the Arrow-4 system. According to those sources, the companies plan to evaluate if the IAI BARAK-8 missile can be used as part of Lockheed’s Aegis weapon system.
