BAE Systems is keen to work more closely with Brazilian industry transfer technology skills 1404113

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LAAD 2011 Defence & Security News - BAE Systems
 

Thursday, April 14, 2011, 11:58 AM
 
BAE Systems is keen to work more closely with Brazilian industry to transfer technology and skills.
 
 

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.
     
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.
Type 22 frigate
     

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.
     
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.
Niteroi Class frigate Brazil Brazilian Navy
     
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.
 
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.