Dassault Aviation, NDUM sign Mou to set up ICP

LANGKAWI: Dassault Aviation SA, the system integrator and manufacturer of Rafale fighter jets, inked a memorandum of understanding with the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM) to set up an Industry Collaboration Programme (ICP).

Dassault Aviation, in a statement yesterday, said the programme would be developed in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Defence for future acquisition of multirole fighters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

“This is an important milestone in our forthcoming cooperation programme, which aims to implement a long-term partnership between academia, industry and Rafale in line with Malaysia’s priorities in human capital and technological development,” said Dassault Aviation Senior Executive VicePresident International Benoit Dussaugey.

The MoU was signed in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2017 (LIMA 2017) here yesterday.

Dussaugey, also the Managing Director of Rafale International, said the company intended to support NDUM’s initiative to create an aerospace institute within its facilities.

Rafale International was set up by Rafale manufacturers, Dassault Aviation, Safran SA and Thales Group, to promote the jet fighters to international buyers.

NDUM Vice-Chancellor General Tan Sri Panglima Zulkifli Zainal Abidin said all parties would jointly explore possible areas of cooperation and mutual interest.

“The MoU paves the way for Malaysians, particularly NDUM students, to gain access to leading-edge technology by Dassault Aviation and premier French research universities,” he said.

Rafale International is among the bidders for RMAF’s MIG29N replacement programme, alongside the British BAE Systems’ Eurofighter Typhoon. — Bernama