Leonardo and Abu Dhabi Ship Building yesterday signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation in the naval sector at IDEX's International Defense Exhibition.
Starting from the effective collaboration established over the years aimed at developing the naval capabilities of the Emirates, with the new alliance the two companies will work together to create a laboratory of integration of the Combat Management System (CMS) able to test, maintain and evolve the Leonardo's CMS software, operating on more than 20 naval units of the Emirates. This is an important step for the transfer of skills and know-how to the country, to ensure the operational availability of its fleet and to provide assistance to other customers in the Gulf region.
The agreement also foresees the possible development of a joint logistic support solution for preventive and corrective maintenance and the creation of a local deposit for the spare parts of Leonardo's naval systems. The collaboration will significantly improve delivery times and repair management and, more generally, system maintenance.
This new phase of the long-standing partnership with Abu Dhabi Ship Building was welcomed with enthusiasm by Leonardo, as well as involving other Emirate entities. Particular attention to services and advanced logistics and local partnerships in key markets fall within the objectives of sustainable growth set in the company's business plan.
The areas touched by the partnership will lay the foundations for a transfer of technologies and a stronger knowledge, in support of the UAE industry and a highly specialized local workforce.