US defence contractor Raytheon says it hopes to see its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams) in the UAE in the future.

“I would like to see Nasams in the UAE in the near future,” says Tim Glaeser, vice-president of integrated air and missile defence at the Raytheon Company. Glaeser was speaking during the Dubai Airshow.

Nasams is a surface-launched advanced medium range air-to-air missile system. Raytheon is due to meet with the UAE Air Defence forces to give them an update on the Nasams programme.

“It is clear that the UAE is moving forwards with [its] integrated air and missile defence,” Glaeser says. Raytheon also says it will deliver the first Patriot Air and Missile Defence System to the UAE in the summer of 2012.