Orbital ATK sets up affiliate defense company in Abu Dhabi

The Virginia-based aerospace and defense contracting company Orbital ATK, Inc. recently established an affiliate in Abu Dhabi, which will support Orbital’s growing defense contracts coming in from the Middle East.

Orbital formed a partnership with the United Arab Emirates-based firm Al Tuff International to start a new affiliate company in Abu Dhabi. Orbital called on Al Tuff International’s defense industry logistics expertise in 2010 to help open a regional office. The success of that venture prompted the companies to start up the new company.

The new company — Orbital ATK LLC. — will sell defense technologies and services in the UAE, specializing in ammunition. The UAE-based Orbital affiliate will peddle everything from small arms ammunition to precision strike munitions and large artillery pieces.

Al Tuff International will lend its logistics experience, deep regional knowledge and connections to military and government institutions in the Emirates to that business effort.

The UAE is a close ally of the United States in the Arab Gulf region. The two nations’ Air Forces are currently flying sorties alongside one another in the fight against ISIL extremists operating in Syria and Iraq. Mike Kahn, President of Orbital ATK’s Defense Systems Group, said the new affiliate in the Emirates brings that relationship even closer together.

“Orbital ATK has been supporting our Emirati ally for many years with both products and infrastructure support,” Kahn said. “Our new Emirati business is important as we further enhance our commitment to being a strong regional partner.”