Raytheon Company has received a $246 million Foreign Military Sales contract for Patriot system spares for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., issued the firm fixed price contract that is initially funded at $123 million, which represents the first delivery order awarded under a five-year agreement for Patriot system spares.

"These spare parts are an imperative aspect for UAE to maintain continuous Patriot system readiness," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS).

This spares contract complements UAE's $3.3 billion order placed with the U.S. government in December 2008 to purchase the advanced Patriot system for air and missile defense.

Work under this contract will be performed by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems at its headquarters in Tewksbury, Mass.; the Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Mass.; the Surveillance and Sensors Center, Sudbury, Mass.; and the Seapower Capability Center, Portsmouth, R.I.