Qatar signs military deals worth billions

05 April 2016

Agreements inked for purchase of missiles, armed attack vessels and drones 

A total of QR32.6bn ($8.9bn) of agreements were signed between the Qatari government and mostly international defence suppliers during a recent exhibition in Doha.

About 85 per cent, or $7.6bn, is accounted for by an order for 24 Rafale combat aircraft, which was initially announced in early 2015.

The remaining orders, according to local media, include the purchase of:

  • Coastal battery system from UK-based MBDA (QR2.6bn)
  • Missiles from MBDA (QR240m)
  • Diving support boats from Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (QR174.2m)
  • Interceptor vessels from Turkey’s Yonka Onuc (QR170m)
  • Pilot training for fighter jets and helicopters from France’s DCI (QR134.8m)
  • Drone cameras from the US’ L-3 (QR95m)
  • Armed attack vessel from France’s Zodiac Aerospace (QR68m)
  • Radar gear from France’s Thales (QR60m)
  • Drones from the US’ Textron Systems (QR54.7m)
  • Three-year C-130 military transport maintenance from the US’ Lockheed Martin (QR50m)
  • Surveillance vehicles from South Korea’s AK & Partners (QR34.6m)

Qatar is understood to have also acquired a 51 per cent stake in Poland’s WKK, a firm that manufactures composite materials and fuselages, in addition to signing a military cooperation agreement involving drones with China’s National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation.

Apart from the package for pilot training, an additional training for Qatar’s naval officers is understood to have been signed with local ship manufacturer Nakilat.

Like most of its GCC peers, Doha is bolstering its security and defence infrastructure due to the rising instability across the region.

MEED reported in March that the state is to receive two topside platforms in the second quarter of this year. The platform, to be maintained off the coast of Qatar, is part of the country’s National Security Shield (NSS), which is armed with surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles and early warning radar systems.

Sources close to the deal say these defences are intended to guard Qatar’s borders against Iran, making it safe for foreign investment and bolster national security ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

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