Two years ago, the country announced a focus toward joint ventures, according to Maj. Gen. Obaid Al Ketbi, chairman of the IDEX organizing committee. "I think what we have is more focus from the government on local manufacturing and … we have a bigger number this year of local companies that became more professional in this defense field," Al Ketbi said. "We are always glad to work closely with our friends around the world in joint ventures and I think we see the results now." At IDEX, Raytheon and NIMR Automotive, part of the Emirates Defence Industries Company, announced they would collaborate on a project to put Raytheon's Talon laser-guided rocket on six-wheel NIMR armored vehicles. DRS will be conducting a joint venture with the UAE defense industry as well, a company spokesman said. "We hope that in the future [the local industry] will develop more, still we rely and work closely with out friends around the world basically to supply us with our requirements," Ketbi said.