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Raytheon CEO Says Region Needs to Improve Its Missile Defense Systems

Dr. Thomas Kennedy, CEO and Chairman of Raytheon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Thomas Kennedy, CEO and Chairman of Raytheon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Raytheon CEO Says Region Needs to Improve Its Missile Defense Systems

Dr. Thomas Kennedy, CEO and Chairman of Raytheon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Thomas Kennedy, CEO and Chairman of Raytheon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Thomas Kennedy, chairman and CEO of Raytheon, a defense and security firm, said his company’s Saudi branch was planning to nationalize the military industry in the Kingdom.

He stressed, however, that the nationalization procedures would not be limited to manufacturing, but would also include design and development, especially in the areas of integrated air and missile defenses, air traffic control systems, security systems and cybersecurity.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of an aviation exhibition in London, Kennedy revealed that Raytheon was seeking to develop joint projects in various aspects of military action in Saudi Arabia.

He revealed that work was underway to develop the Kingdom’s capabilities in the field of cybersecurity and implement a strategy aimed at nationalizing the military industries by 50 percent in the future.

As for the air support systems, he noted that Raytheon would strengthen Saudi defense capabilities under a joint venture with the Saudi Military Industries Company and would cooperate with the Cyber Security Company appointed by the Saudi government to develop this area.

Cybersecurity is a major part of Raytheon’s work, according to the CEO, who highlighted an MoU signed with Saudi Aramco that would enable the two sides to work together to create effective solutions in cybersecurity.

Raytheon is a New York-listed technology and innovation company specializing in defense, security and civil markets around the world. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company achieved sales of $25 billion in 2017 and has a workforce of about 64,000 employees worldwide.

Kennedy said the company has been cooperating with Saudi Royal Air Defense Force and Saudi Royal Air Force for many years, adding that it was currently working with other military institutions, the Ministry of the Interior and Saudi Aramco. He emphasized that the establishment of Saudi Raytheon was part of the efforts of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Asked about the company’s work in the United Arab Emirates, the chairman stressed that the UAE has been Raytheon’s partner for 31 years, during which Raytheon UAE was established and would be run by Emiratis with the goal of nationalizing the company.

As for the growth of Raytheon’s works, Kennedy revealed that the company concluded 2017 with a 32 percent growth in its international sales, the 14th consecutive year of growth.

The region is witnessing an urgent need to improve the capabilities of integrated air and missile defenses, according to the CEO. As Yemen’s conflict is threatening both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the two countries demand solutions to protect their sovereignty and ensure the safety of their peoples, he explained.

Raytheon, established nearly 95 years ago, provides electronic devices, mission systems, command and control products, computers, cybersecurity and sensor systems, effects and task support, and operates in more than 80 countries around the world.

Kennedy is chairman and CEO of Raytheon. He joined the company in 1983. Before being appointed chairman in October 2014, Kennedy became CEO in March 2014, and he was elected to Raytheon’s Board of Directors in January 2014.

Prior to joining Raytheon, Kennedy served in the US Air Force where he attained the rank of captain. He earned a doctorate in engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles; and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Rutgers University and the Air Force Institute of Technology, respectively.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.