“UAE Defense Team Explores Cutting-Edge Innovations at Lockheed Martin’s Security Hub”
A team from the UAE Ministry of Defense, led by Major General Dr. Mubarak bin Ghafan Al Jabri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Support and Defense Industries at the Ministry of Defense, visited Lockheed Martin’s Center for Security Solutions and Innovation (CISS) in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Robert Bob S. Harward, Lockheed Martin’s Chief Executive for the Middle East, welcomed the delegation and elaborated on the Emiratization and human capital development initiatives implemented by the company to cultivate exceptionally skilled UAE engineers, as reported by Emirates news agency WAM.
During the visit, Major General Al Jabri received an in-depth presentation from Hala Al Zargani, the Lead Engineer and the first Emirati employed by the CISS, regarding Lockheed Martin’s advancements in fostering Emirati talent and enhancing sovereign capabilities in the UAE’s defense and space sectors.
Major General Al Jabri emphasized the astute UAE leadership’s unwavering efforts to empower national talents with opportunities to thrive in the high-tech global economy, particularly in the defense industry. He highlighted that ongoing training and guidance for young engineers in the operation of sophisticated defense systems will emerge as crucial components for the UAE’s future in defense and aerospace.
Initiatives are currently in progress to onboard the summer cohort for Lockheed Martin’s CISS internship program aimed at UAE university students. This merit-based internship aligns with the UAE’s objectives for human capital development, granting talented Emirati students the chance to delve into key defense industry necessities, such as operations analysis, unmanned systems, and artificial intelligence.
Since 2017, Lockheed Martin’s CISS has instructed over 100 Emirati engineers, refining their expertise through specialized training initiatives. These programs cover areas like artificial intelligence development, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle design, defense simulation drills, business administration skills, software development, and IT networking, enabling students to engage in real-world projects that positively influence the industry.
Earlier this month, on June 16th, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs, welcomed Robert (Bob) S. Harward, Lockheed Martin’s Chief Executive in the Middle East, in his office, alongside the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Defense and high-ranking officials.
Conversations during the meeting centering on the latest advancements in technology within the aerospace and defense sectors highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the two parties, as reported by WAM.
Al Bowardi was also updated on the Emiratization and human capital development initiatives being pursued by Lockheed Martin to boost the number of proficient Emirati engineers in the aerospace, defense, and software development industries across the UAE.
Harward reiterated Lockheed Martin’s dedication to mentoring young UAE engineers, viewing this as an essential aspect of the future of the defense sector. The ultimate goal is to have Emiratis design, test, operate, and sustain all cutting-edge systems backed by Lockheed Martin from its base in Abu Dhabi.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a prominent global security and aerospace firm employing approximately 114,000 individuals worldwide, primarily focusing on the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and maintenance of advanced technology systems, products, and services.
