Raytheon [RTN] on Thursday said it has created a subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates to further strengthen its partnerships in the small Middle Eastern country that is a key customer.

“The establishment of Raytheon Emirates is a strong step forward in our longstanding alliance with the United Arab Emirates,” Thomas Kennedy, Raytheon’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “Through partnerships with government, industry and academia, Raytheon is committed to helping the UAE achieve its economic goals while providing trusted, innovative solutions that support the nation’s defense and security requirements.”

Raytheon said the new subsidiary will leverage its existing operations in the UAE in the areas of cyber security, air defense and sustainment, and advanced technology, while developing talent and local suppliers.

Raytheon Emirates will be led by John Brauneis, who previously worked in the company’s United Kingdom office.

John Brauneis has been named chief executive of Raytheon Emirates. LinkedIn Photo
John Brauneis has been named chief executive of Raytheon Emirates. LinkedIn Photo

“We are focused on expanding the capabilities of Raytheon and its business partners in the UAE by emphasizing local hiring and talent development, cultivating a stronger supplier base, and development new technology solutions,” Brauneis said in a statement.

In the spring the U.S. State Department approved a potential $2 billion deal for Patriot missile systems to the UAE to be supplied by Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Raytheon. The UAE has operated the Patriot air and missile defense system since 2003.

In November, at the Dubai Airshow, the UAE announced that it had signed a deal with Raytheon worth $684 million for precision-guided munitions.

Raytheon said its 30-years of partnering with the UAE has included pilot training, supporting air traffic control radars, the TALON laser-guided rocket, Patriot, the Rolling Airframe Missile, and the Evolved Seasparrow Missile.