Lockheed Martin interested in additional projects in Romania – govt

Lockheed Martin interested in additional projects in Romania – govt

BUCHAREST (Romania), January 15 (SeeNews) –  US-based security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin is interested in the further development of military equipment production and maintenance projects in Romania, as well as artificial intelligence-focused research, the Romanian authorities said.

The company is considering the development of additional equipment production and maintenance projects involving Romania, the defence ministry said in a press release on Tuesday evening following a meeting with Lockheed Martin representatives.

Other topics on the agenda concerned the stage of implementation of the ongoing endowment programmes, as well as those which are in the operation and support stages such as the F-16 multi-role combat aircraft, the Multiple Rocket Launcher – HIMARS, Patriot ground-to-air missile systems, and radars.

Also on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said in a press release that Lockheed Martin president Marillyn Hewson has expressed the company’s interest in continuing the development of new technologies in Romania, based on artificial intelligence.

Foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu and Hewson also agreed to explore opportunities for strengthening the ties between Lockheed Martin and Romania’s defence industry, both through maintenance and modernization projects as well as through research.

Among the equipment manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the Romanian armed forces are already operating the F-16 fighter jets and the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.

Romania, which joined NATO in 2004, plans to spend 9.8 billion euro until 2026 to boost its defence capabilities.

($= 0.8982 euro)

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