Lord Drayson commits the UK to partnership
Richard Scott
UK defence procurement minister Lord Drayson has told the IDEX Show Daily that UK industry is looking to strengthen its relationship with the UAE in the defence field, and affirmed a commitment to greater collaboration across the region. Lord Drayson, who attended IDEX 2007 in support of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO), said he had been extremely encouraged by the number of UK suppliers – more than 70 in total – exhibiting at the show.
“It’s not just the major prime contractors who have come here,” he said, “but also a large number of small and medium enterprises at all levels of the supply chain. I think their participation demonstrates the true breadth and depth of our total capability.” Underlining the UK’s desire to strengthen its presence in the regional defence market, Lord Drayson stressed that it was “vitally important to commit to long-term collaborative partnerships”.
He continued: “The UK has a very strong mix of capabilities, and we must play to our strengths. “Yes, we are a leading equipment supplier, but we are also a global financial centre with significant experience in engineering innovative financing solutions for major long-term projects.”
The minister also highlighted the importance of education and training. “That builds on the fantastic reputation that our armed forces enjoy worldwide,” he said, “and enables us to deliver real ‘added value’ to our friends and allies. We certainly see it as an export commodity. “Taken together, that total capability in equipment, finance, support, education and training represents a very strong offer.”
Lord Drayson believes that the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy, rolled out in late 2005, will help to increase the competitiveness of the UK defence industry on the global stage. “It has provided clarity to our supply base, and makes very clear where our priorities lie,” he said. “Furthermore, it recognises that exports are extremely important to retaining the critical mass in our industry, and so helping to sustain the infrastructure for our own armed forces. “I would also point out that we have a defence market in the UK that is itself extremely open to worldwide competition. I think it is very important for our own industry to have the spur of that domestic competition to stay globally competitive.”
 Drayson: "Exports are extremely important to retaining the critical mass in our industry" |