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Lockheed Martin has appointed Ulrich (Uli) Finkenbusch to lead its growing presence in Germany as the global security and aerospace company looks to expand its relationships with the German government and industry to meet evolving mission needs in both the commercial and defence sectors.
Finkenbusch has returned to Germany to head Lockheed Martin’s Berlin office following 16 months working in the company’s international business development team in the U.S. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin in May 2014, he was Principal Foreign Policy Advisor to the Free Democratic Party in the Bundestag. In this role he dealt with all foreign and national security issues relevant to Germany and the European Union.
On his appointment, Uli Finkenbusch said: “Lockheed Martin has been a trusted partner with Germany for more than half a century. In my new role I am looking forward to strengthening this partnership and expanding our links with companies like MBDA Deutschland, Airbus, and Diehl to help Germany meet its evolving mission needs.”
“Our next-generation air and missile defence system MEADS, in which we are partnered with MBDA Deutschland, will enable Germany to fulfil its role as a NATO framework nation on air and missile defence. It is our signature programme in Germany and we are committed to working with MBDA to make it an unmitigated success”
Lockheed Martin’s office in the heart of Berlin will also encompass the business activities of Sikorsky, now a Lockheed Martin company, adding further depth to its partnership with German industry.
German built CH-53 Sea Stallions, assembled in Speyer and maintained in Donauwrth have been flown by the German Army Aviation Corps since 1971 and have an established track record on a wide range of international missions for NATO and the United Nations.
If selected by Germany, the new generation CH-53K King Stallion, the most advanced heavy lift helicopter ever designed, would see significant involvement by German industry, in particular regarding the initial outfitting and in-service support throughout the aircrafts’ life-cycle. MTU is already providing parts of the engines for CH-53K helicopters being built for the US Marine Corps.
“Lockheed Martin’s goal is to build a true partnership with Germany, not simply to win contracts and transact business,” Mr Finkenbusch said. “Working together, we have the innovation, the technology and the commitment to accomplish great things.”
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that - with the addition of Sikorsky - employs approximately 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
