The UAE has awarded US’ Raytheon with a multi-million dollar contract for the supply of the company’s rolling airframe missiles (RAMs) Block 2 for the UAE Navy’s Baynunah-class corvettes.

The contract includes the supply of associated equipment, training and support.

RAM is a “best-in-class ship self-defence weapon,” Raytheon said in a statement. “It’s a supersonic, lightweight, quick-reaction, fire-and-forget weapon designed to protect ships against anti-ship missiles, helicopters, aircraft and surface craft”.

The missiles will be used to protect the Baynunah-class corvettes, which are used by the UAE Navy for surveillance, interception, coastal patrol, helicopter operations and other security missions.

According to Alan Davis, Raytheon’s Director of short-range defense systems, the RAM Block 2 is ideal for the UAE Navy because it “defends against complex threats that are maneuvering faster than other systems can defeat.”