BAE Systems shares insights with KU students on future technologies

Lecture held as part of BAE’s education initiatives in Gulf

KUWAIT: Students at Kuwait University have learnt more about how disruptive technologies are shaping the future global aerospace and defense industry.

Matt Stevens, who is part of the team researching future technologies for BAE Systems, spoke to the students yesterday as part of a lecture organized by BAE Systems, as part of its education initiatives in the Gulf.

He spoke about the benefits of technologies such as augmented reality, quantum computing and robotics, which are already delivering solutions to challenges facing the defense industry.

The lecture, organized by Kuwait University, the British Council and BAE Systems, in cooperation with the British Embassy in Kuwait, was aligned to key areas of the New Kuwait Vision 2035 aimed at transferring technical skills and knowledge to Kuwait, and came as the anniversary of 120 years of partnership between the State of Kuwait and the United Kingdom approaches.

Stevens said: “Every day there are advances in science and technology which we must embrace if we are to stay ahead of the curve. Technologies like rapid manufacturing and cyber resilience are all examples which have become common-place today.

“BAE Systems spends £1.7 billion (KD 680 million) on research and development every year to ensure our customers and partners around the world are able to meet the threats and challenges they face.

“This presents huge opportunities to our partners across the globe and we look forward to supporting the transformation of the Kuwait Air Force and playing a key role in supporting the Kuwait Vision 2035.”

Michael Gordon, Country Director - Kuwait for The British Council, said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to make it possible for BAE Systems to engage with some of Kuwait’s future engineers, and to enthuse them with this snapshot of what future technological changes could mean for those working in a large aerospace company such as BAE Systems.”

Following the lecture, four BAE Systems employees from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Oman spoke with their counterparts from Kuwait University about their experiences and opportunities at BAE Systems. They spoke about their engineering roles working alongside the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman in support of their Typhoon fleets; Typhoon is the multi-role combat aircraft which is due to go in to service with the Kuwait Air Force in 2020.

Earlier this year, BAE Systems opened an office in the grounds of the UK Embassy in Kuwait as part of its commitment to deliver greater support to the State across air, land, maritime and cyber domains, supporting existing products as well as delivering new capabilities.