Aeronautics, Space and Defence

October 2004

Boeing Co. is interested in teaming up with Japanese companies that have excellent technology, products and services both within and outside the defense industry if the Japanese government relaxes its weapons export ban, according to Jim F. Albaugh, chief executive officer of the company's Integrated Defense Systems. The CEO said easing the ban will be a positive factor because it will promote competition and drive down costs. He added that the electronics field is becoming increasingly important to the defense industry as a growing number of weapons and defense technologies will use networking. He noted that Japan's precision processing and other high-quality manufacturing techniques are of interest to the U.S. Boeing formed a partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. in 2000. Although Japan currently prohibits exports of weapons and related technology to nearly all nations, there have been growing calls for the government to relax the ban. (October 7, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun)