ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 10, 2025 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is marking 50 years of partnership with the UAE by spotlighting its vision for 21st Century Security® at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX), set for Feb. 17–21 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This milestone highlights five decades of collaboration that began in 1975 with the delivery of the first C-130 Hercules airlifter to the Abu Dhabi Defense Force and has grown into a partnership strengthening regional security and advancing cutting-edge innovation.
“Celebrating 50 years of partnership with the UAE is a proud moment for Lockheed Martin, demonstrating how our long-standing collaboration continues to strengthen regional security, develop local talent, and help our partners navigate evolving challenges with confidence and capability,” said Gen. John Nicholson (U.S. Army, Ret.), chief executive, Lockheed Martin Middle East. “IDEX provides a world-class platform to showcase our commitment to advanced defense technologies, innovation, and the transformative role of AI in modern security. We look forward to engaging with global and regional leaders at this important event.”
Lockheed Martin will showcase a variety of advanced technologies that address security and interoperability challenges across all domains—land, air, sea and space. Exhibits will include next-generation fighter jets, state-of-the-art helicopters, advanced air and missile defense systems, and sophisticated command-and-control platforms. By pairing innovation with its legacy of collaboration, Lockheed Martin continues to demonstrate its commitment to partnering for security and prosperity, providing the tools and expertise that ensure mission success and bolster global stability.
The event also features a dedicated showcase of projects developed by UAE interns at Lockheed Martin’s Center for Innovation and Security Solutions (CISS) in Masdar City. CISS has trained hundreds of Emirati students in robotics, artificial intelligence, networked systems, and modelling and simulation, nurturing the next generation of aerospace and defense leaders while creating valuable opportunities in the UAE’s expanding defense ecosystem.
Lockheed Martin is also a gold sponsor of the International Defense Conference (IDC), which will take place Feb. 16, 2025. Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control, will participate in a panel discussion titled “Global Disruptions and Defense Preparedness: Mitigating Threats to Critical Supply Chains,” reflecting the company’s strategic role in delivering essential defense systems around the world.
Over the past 50 years, Lockheed Martin’s partnership with the UAE has grown from delivering tactical airlifters to fostering sovereign capabilities through industrial collaboration, knowledge sharing and workforce development. As the company marks this milestone, it remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation, empowering future talent, and shaping the future of 21st Century Security, with a focus on artificial intelligence’s transformative potential to safeguard future generations.
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