Boeing

Boeing and MBDA Announce Missile Defense Partnership

Boeing [NYSE:BA] and European weapons manufacturer MBDA have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a cooperative relationship in the area of global missile defense.

Under this agreement, the two companies will evaluate and develop opportunities in missile defense drawing on their existing skills, technologies and capabilities. Collaboration will include potential short-term and long-term business relationships and examination of architectures for defending against global and regional ballistic missile threats.

Boeing is the prime contractor of the U.S. government's Ground-based Midcourse Defense and Airborne Laser programs. The company has established missile defense agreements in the United Kingdom, Canada, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Israel and Japan.

"Our relationship with MBDA is a critical component of our growing global missile defense partnerships," said James Evatt, Boeing Senior Vice President of Missile Defense Systems. "This agreement represents another step forward in expanding global cooperation in the missile defense arena and identifying solutions that are critical for the future security of our nations, military forces and allies."

Marwan Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer of MBDA said, "We are proud to link with Boeing which already has prime involvement in some of the U.S. government's major missile defense programs."

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis , Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.

With an annual turnover exceeding exceeding 2 billion Euros, a forward order book of over 14 billion Euros and over 70 customers world wide, MBDA is a world leading, global missile systems company. MBDA currently has 45 missile system and countermeasure programs in operational service and has proven its ability as prime contractor to head major multi-national projects. MBDA is jointly owned by BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and FINMECCANICA (25%).
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For further information:
Kerry A. Gildea
Missile Defense Systems
(703) 414-6341
kerry.a.gildea@boeing.com
Carol Reed
MBDA
+44 (0) 207 451 60 99
carol.reed@mbda.co.uk