BRIDEX 2009 to display Raytheon's innovations

THE coming Brunei International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BRIDEX 2009), organised by Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) with the full support of the Ministry of Defence, is expected to showcase cutting-edge defence and security systems and equipment that would be able to meet the needs of the tri-services of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Royal Customs and Excise, Immigration and National Registration and other government enforcement agencies.

Bridex 2009 will also serve as an excellent platform for building vital business alliances, forging strategic partnerships and capturing new market opportunities in a fast growing Southeast Asian region, as well as for networking, sharing ideas and knowledge, discussing technology advancements and industry developments.

The first Bridex exhibition which was held from May 31 to June 2, 2007, attracted just over 100 participants from 14 countries.

Bridex 2007 was hailed as a resounding success as it successfully attracted over 500 international visitors during the three-day event.

"During Bridex 2007, Brunei secured between $40 million to $50 million in sales, such as the acquisition of the Ultimax light machine-guns and others," said RBTS, adding that, "the combat network radio tender was a direct result of Bridex 2007 and that's why the companies participated."

Furthermore, Bridex 2007 also raked in between $3 million to $5 million for the support industry. "The economic spin-off from Bridex is huge," said RBTS.

"From airlines, hotels, transportation, tourism and other support industries. The real value is drawing in the exhibitors to participate in Bridex 2009."

The market for defence equipment in Asia is still strong despite the economic recession. Reuters has ranked Asia in second place after the Middle East in the developing world for arms imports.

Experts say so far the economic downturn has only made minor dents in the procurement plans of some Asian countries, but the region is likely to remain one of the most alluring markets for a global defence industry that is growing dependent on exports.

China has led the charge as countries across the vast region have poured money into their militaries to upgrade gear, add capabilities and expand their reach, said Reuters.

Military expenditure in the Asia-Pacific region, not including South Asia, rose more than five per cent in 2008 compared with the year before to $248 billion, as reported by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

And according to the United States Congressional Research Service, Asia accounted for more than 40 per cent of world arms transfers between 2000 and 2007.

As one of the exhibitors in the coming BRIDEX 2009, Raytheon is a major American defence contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in defence systems and defence and commercial electronics. Raytheon is recognised as one of the world's largest producers of guided missiles.

The company has annual revenues of approximately US$20 billion. More than 90 per cent of Raytheon's revenues were obtained from defence contracts and, as of 2007, it was the fifth largest defence contractor in the world, and is the fourth largest defence contractor in the United States by revenue.

In 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, Raytheon's Patriot missile received great international exposure, resulting in a substantial increase in sales for the company outside the United States.

Raytheon is composed of six major business divisions, namely Integrated Defence Systems; Intelligence and Information Systems; Missile Systems; Network Centric Systems; Raytheon Technical Services Company; and Space and Airborne Systems.

In recent years, Raytheon has expanded into other fields while redefining some of its core business activities.

The company is focusing its expertise and resources in Homeland Security; Missile Defence; Precision Engagement; and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).

One of the company's products is the Javelin Weapon System which was developed and is built by a joint venture formed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

The Javelin is a one man-portable and employable fire-and-forget medium-range missile system. The compact, lightweight Javelin is ideally suited for one-soldier operation in all environments designed especially to counter enemy armour.

The Javelin has been deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq by US and allied soldiers, US Marines and Special Forces. Eleven countries have selected Javelin to meet their anti-armour requirements. (ALA)

The Brunei Times