MBDA yesterday signed a contract in Doha for the supply of a coastal defense system for the Naval Forces of the Emirate of Qatar (QENF).
The innovative coastal system will be able to use two different missiles, the Mars ER (the version Extended Range of the missile Mars) and theExocet MM40 Block 3, and will be able to work in autonomous mode with its own radar or, alternatively, interfaced within a wider coastal surveillance network. The provision of these coastal missile systems will allow QENF to prevent hostile ships from reaching and threatening Qatari territorial waters.
With this further contract signed by MBDA, the collaboration between Qatar, Italy and France is confirmed and strengthened in the strategic context of defense.
Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, commented: "I am delighted that Qatar has confirmed the trust placed in MBDA for its defense needs a few months after the signing of the MoU during the DIMDEX exhibition. MBDA is today one of the main defense suppliers of the country and will continue to maintain its long-standing commitment and support to the Armed Forces of Qatar. The contract follows the one signed with the Naval Forces of the Emirate of Qatar last June for ships to be built by Fincantieri with MBDA missiles ".
Pasquale Di Bartolomeo, MBDA Executive Group Strategy Director, said: "I am delighted to be in Doha to sign this contract on behalf of MBDA. It is a significant new success for the Company. In particular, the agreement will involve engineering and production activities of the Italian sites. Importantly, this program is a confirmation of the performance of the Mars ER: MBDA is able to reaffirm its supremacy in the anti-ship missile sector, providing different and scalable solutions for its customers around the world ".
