Qatar Armed Forces

Livrés en 2013

Citation :

28/08/2015

PC-21 pour la Patrouille du Qatar !  



Le Qatar a passée commande pour 24 appareils d’entrainement de type Pilatus PC-21, soit un système complet d'entraînement PC-21, pour plus de 600 millions de francs. Le contrat comprend notamment la vente de 24 avions militaires non armés, mais une partie de ces appareils vont également servir à la futur Patrouille de démonstration aérienne de l’armée de l’air du Qatar.


La gamme Pilatus représentée en patrouilles :

Avec la création de cette nouvelle patrouille de démonstration aérienne sur PC-21, c’est l’ensemble des aéronefs écoles de l’avionneur suisse, qui dorénavant sont représentés à travers des équipes acrobatiques, appartenant à des forces aériennes ou des équipes civiles de voltiges. En effet, du « bon vieux » P3 avec les P3 Flyers, les NPC-7 de la patrouille des instructeurs des Forces aériennes, en passant par la Patrouille sud-africaine sur PC-7MKII, le PC-9M qui vole avec les Patrouilles croates, australienne et thaïlandaise. Pilatus peut être fier aujourd’hui, d’être l’unique avionneur au monde a être ainsi représenté !


Photo : Pilatus PC-21 aux couleurs de la patrouille acrobatique du Qatar@ Stephan Widmer  

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2015/08/28/pc-21-pour-la-patrouille-du-qatar-859585.html

Citation :

Qatar Sends in their forces to Yemen By Dylan Vosman - Sep 6, 2015











Read more at: http://defence-blog.com/army/qatar-sends-in-their-forces-to-yemen.html

C130J

Citation :

Rafale : le Qatar très proche de payer son acompte


 Par Michel Cabirol   |   16/10/2015


Le Qatar avait signé début mai un contrat de 6,3 milliards d'euros (armement compris) pour l'acquisition de 24
Rafale (six en version biplace et 18 en version monoplace), (Crédits : © Pascal Rossignol / Reuters)

Le Qatar devrait régler le premier acompte du contrat portant sur l'achat de 24 Rafale à Dassault Aviation d'ici à la fin d'octobre, selon plusieurs sources concordantes. Le contrat serait alors mis en vigueur.


Le Qatar devrait régler le premier acompte du contrat portant sur l'achat de 24 Rafale à Dassault Aviation d'ici à la fin du mois d'octobre, selon plusieurs sources concordantes. Ce qui va permettre enfin la mise en vigueur de ce contrat emblématiques de 6,3 milliards d'euros. Pour autant, il n'y avait pas plus d'inquiétudes que cela en France aussi bien chez les industriels qu'au plus haut niveau de l'État même si Doha a mis près de six mois à payer cet acompte.

En outre, la France a récemment conclu en septembre un contrat sur la formation des pilotes qataris, qui entrait dans l'accord global de la vente des Rafale. C'est l'armée de l'air qui a signé ce contrat et dispensera la formation aux futurs pilotes qataris sur Rafale. Doha paiera directement les prestations de formation à l'armée de l'air, qui aurait été conseillée sur ce dossier par l'Agence du patrimoine immatériel de l'État (APIE). L'imputation se fera sur le budget opérationnel de programme (BOP) 178 de l'armée de l'air en vertu d'un décret de 2009. Ce type de contrat est une grande première pour l'armée de l'air.


"Les Qataris nous demandent un transfert opérationnel de plusieurs années, et nous sommes en mesure de l'assurer, mais cela va entraîner énormément de tensions sur notre personnel pendant au moins deux ans", avait expliqué en mai dernier l'ancien chef d'état-major de l'armée de l'air, le général Denis Mercier

Un contrat de 6,3 milliards d'euros

Le Qatar avait signé début mai un contrat de 6,3 milliards d'euros (armement compris de MBDA et Safran) pour l'acquisition de 24 Rafale (six en version biplace et 18 en version monoplace), en présence du président français, François Hollande, qui avait lancé en anglais "Good choice" à l'adresse du général qatari Ahmad al-Malki, qui a supervisé les négociations avant de signer le contrat avec le PDG de Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier.
Les avions de combat seront livrés à partir de 2018 avec une livraison par mois à raison de 11 avions par an, selon le ministère de la Défense. Ils seront équipés de tous les armements possibles, notamment des missiles de croisière Scalp et de missiles air-air Meteor. Une centaine de mécaniciens très spécialisés qataris seront formés en France, et 36 pilotes.

 http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/rafale-le-qatar-tres-proche-de-payer-son-acompte-513929.html

Citation :

Qatar to receive first Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks and PzH-2000 self-propelled howitzer

Qatar will receive the first four KMW Leopard 2A7 tanks and three PzH-2000 howitzers from Germany, according to the German Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. The shipment has left Germany a few days ago and will soon arrive to Qatar. The shipment is part of a contract signed in 2013 with an overall value of USD2.2 billion. It includes the sale of 62 Leopard 2 tanks, 24 Pzh-2000 howitzers and other equipment.


The issue might cause a political controversy in German politics, due to the German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel’s position that the shipment of weapons to the restive Gulf area cannot be justified.

Given that the export of weapons to countries either involved in combat operations or with a record in human rights issues, has been an area of special interest for many parties and organizations in Germany, the involvement of Qatar in Yemen could raise many questions.

Freezing the contract seems to be out of question, as this could force the German government to pay compensation to the industry. It is expected that Germany would try to seek a reassurance that the new weapons would not be used in Yemen, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung report.



http://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/qatar_to_receive_first_leopard_2_and_pzh-2000_42310153.html

Citation :

Rafale : le Qatar va-t-il verser son acompte ?

 Par Michel Cabirol       |   13/11/2015


Le Qatar avait signé début mai un contrat de 6,3 milliards d'euros, dont 2 milliards pour l'armement fourni par
MBDA et Safran, pour l'acquisition de 24 Rafale (six en version biplace et 18 en version monoplace)
(Crédits : © Pascal Rossignol / Reuters)  

La visite à Paris du Premier ministre qatari, Abdallah ben Nasser ben Khalifa al-Thani, pourrait être l'occasion de la mise en vigueur du contrat des 24 Rafale achetés par Doha.

Suspense, suspense... La visite à Paris prévue lundi et mardi du Premier ministre qatari, Abdallah ben Nasser ben Khalifa al-Thani, membre de la famille princière, va-t-elle enfin débloquer la mise en vigueur du contrat des 24 Rafale, plus de sept mois après sa signature en mai dernier ? En tout cas, la communauté industrielle française de l'armement fondait ces derniers jours quelques espoirs de voir verser par Doha le premier paiement. Car pas d'acompte, pas de contrat en vigueur.

Le Qatar avait signé début mai un contrat de 6,3 milliards d'euros, dont 2 milliards pour l'armement fourni par MBDA et Safran, pour l'acquisition de 24 Rafale (six en version biplace et 18 en version monoplace). Ces appareils seront équipés de tous les armements possibles, notamment des missiles de croisière Scalp et de missiles air-air Meteor. Cette signature avait eu lieu en présence de François Hollande, qui avait lancé en anglais "Good choice" à l'adresse du général qatari Ahmad al-Malki, qui avait supervisé les négociations avant de signer le contrat avec le PDG de Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier. Les avions de combat seront livrés à partir de 2018 avec une livraison par mois à raison de 11 avions par an, selon le ministère de la Défense.

La formation assurée par l'armée de l'air

La France a récemment conclu le 22 septembre un contrat sur la formation opérationnelle des pilotes qataris, qui entrait dans l'accord global de la vente des Rafale. Une centaine de mécaniciens très spécialisés qataris seront formés en France, et 36 pilotes. C'est l'armée de l'air qui a signé ce contrat et dispensera la formation aux futurs pilotes qataris sur Rafale.
Doha paiera directement les prestations de formation à l'armée de l'air, qui aurait été conseillée sur ce dossier par l'Agence du patrimoine immatériel de l'État (APIE). L'imputation se fera sur le budget opérationnel de programme (BOP) 178 de l'armée de l'air en vertu d'un décret de 2009. Ce type de contrat est une grande première pour l'armée de l'air.


"Les Qataris nous demandent un transfert opérationnel de plusieurs années, et nous sommes en mesure de l'assurer, mais cela va entraîner énormément de tensions sur notre personnel pendant au moins deux ans", avait expliqué en mai dernier l'ancien chef d'état-major de l'armée de l'air, le général Denis Mercier.

http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/rafale-le-qatar-va-t-il-verser-son-acompte-521971.html

Citation :

Rafale : le Qatar a payé son acompte à Dassault Aviation

Par Michel Cabirol | 16/12/2015, 9:29 | 353 mots


Le contrat Qatar est entré en vigueur pour 2015 (Crédits : © Regis Duvignau / Reuters)

Le Qatar a réglé le premier acompte du contrat portant sur l'achat de 24 Rafale à Dassault Aviation.


Le Qatar a enfin réglé le premier acompte du contrat portant sur l'achat de 24 Rafale à Dassault Aviation, explique-t-on à La Tribune. Ce qui confirme une information des "Echos". Ce premier chèque va permettre la mise en vigueur de ce contrat emblématique de 6,3 milliards d'euros. Il n'y avait pas plus d'inquiétudes que cela en France aussi bien chez les industriels qu'au plus haut niveau de l'État même si Doha a mis huit mois environ à payer cet acompte.

En outre, la France, qui a conclu le 22 septembre un contrat sur la formation opérationnelle des pilotes qataris, a également reçu un premier chèque. Ce contrat entre dans l'accord global de la vente des Rafale. C'est l'armée de l'air qui a signé ce contrat et dispensera la formation aux futurs pilotes qataris sur Rafale. Doha paiera directement les prestations de formation à l'armée de l'air, qui aurait été conseillée sur ce dossier par l'Agence du patrimoine immatériel de l'État (APIE). L'imputation se fera sur le budget opérationnel de programme (BOP) 178 de l'armée de l'air en vertu d'un décret de 2009. Ce type de contrat est une grande première pour l'armée de l'air.

Un contrat de 6,3 milliards d'euros

Le Qatar avait signé début mai un contrat de 6,3 milliards d'euros (armement compris de MBDA et Safran) pour l'acquisition de 24 Rafale (six en version biplace et 18 en version monoplace). Une signature en présence du président français, François Hollande, qui avait lancé en anglais "Good choice" à l'adresse du général qatari Ahmad al-Malki. Ce dernier avait supervisé les négociations avant de signer le contrat avec le PDG de Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier.
Les avions de combat seront livrés à partir de 2018 avec une livraison par mois à raison de 11 avions par an, selon le ministère de la Défense. Ils seront équipés de tous les armements possibles, notamment des missiles de croisière Scalp et de missiles air-air Meteor. Une centaine de mécaniciens très spécialisés qataris seront formés en France, et 36 pilotes.

http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/rafale-le-qatar-a-paye-son-acompte-a-dassault-aviation-536529.html

Citation :

Qatar parades new equipment

Jeremy Binnie, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

23 December 2015


Qatar's new Leopard 2A7 tanks were seen for first time during the national day parade on 18 December. Source: Qatar Television  


Qatar displayed its new Leopard 2A7 tanks and PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers for the first time during its annual national day parade on 18 December.

At least six of the tanks and two howitzers were seen being driven down Doha's corniche on transporters in Qatari television coverage of the parade.

The German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) announced in April 2013 that Qatar had ordered 62 Leopard 2 tanks and 24 155 mm/52 PzH 2000 howitzers for EUR1.89 billion (USD2.07 billion). KMW sources told IHS Jane's at the time that the tanks would be the latest 2A7 version and that they and the howitzers would be new, rather than refurbished surplus systems.

A launcher from a Patriot air defence system was also seen during the parade with four canisters for PAC-2-sized missiles. Raytheon was awarded a USD2.4 billion contract in December 2014 to supply 10 Patriot fire units to Qatar, which has also ordered the smaller Lockheed Martin PAC-3 missile.

Perhaps the most intriguing appearance during the parade was by two Dassault Rafale multirole fighters that appeared to have the Qatari flag on their tails.

It was announced in May that Qatar had signed for 24 Rafales. France delivered Rafales very quickly this year to Egypt by transferring aircraft being built for its own air force. But Dassault Aviation has revealed that, as the first payment was delayed, the Qatari contract only came into effect on 17 December. The Rafales seen at the parade were therefore presumably French jets flying from their base at Al-Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates.


Two Rafale multirole fighters with what appear to be Qatari flags on their tails perform a flyby over Doha on 18 December 2015. (Qatar Television)


Two PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers were seen in the television coverage of the parade. (Qatar Television)


A launcher from a Patriot air defence system with four canisters for PAC-2-sized missiles was seen during the parade. (Qatar Television)
 

Citation :

Senators Begin Push for Jet Sales to Kuwait, Qatar
Joe Gould and Awad Mustafa 12:46 p.m. EST January 22, 2016




WASHINGTON and DUBAI — Two powerful US senators have begun raising questions over why US fighter jet deals with Qatar and Kuwait have been delayed for two years — and placing blame for the delays on the Obama White House.

Qatar’s request for the F-15E Strike Eagle and Kuwait’s request for the F-18E/F Super Hornet are two years old. According to a congressional source, the Defense Department and State Department both support the sales, while the White House has put on the brakes.

That belief was reinforced Jan. 20, when Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain, a frequent critic of the Obama administration, questioned the delay at a time when America's Sunni allies are looking for reassurance while diplomatic relations are improving between the US and their chief rival in the region, Iran.

“I have no doubt that the Obama administration has pursued a new relationship with Iran because it believed doing so would diminish sectarian tensions in the region, but the reality is that the administration’s overtures to Iran have only exacerbated those tensions,” McCain, R-Ariz., said in a hearing.




http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/01/22/senators-begin-push-jet-sales-kuwait-qatar/79109014/

Citation :

Paris espère vendre trois frégates de défense aérienne au Qatar
Posté dans Forces navales, Industrie, Moyen-Orient par Laurent Lagneau Le 29-03-2016




Pour son 13e déplacement au Qatar, ce 29 mars, le ministre de la Défense, Jean-Yves Le Drian a visité le salon de l’armement naval DIMDEX (Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition) et soutenu les exposants français.

Alors que, en France, certaines voix dénoncent cette proximité de Paris avec Doha (et aussi Riyad) en raison du rôle qui lui est donné dans le financement du terrorisme, le ministre français a, en revanche, raffirmé le statut de « partenaire stratégique » de l’émirat, lequel a d’ailleurs commandé 24 avions Rafale en 2015.

« Le Qatar est un partenaire stratégique de la France. Il ne faut pas mégoter sur les mots (…) Notre relation avec le Qatar est globale », a en effet affirmé, en marge du salon DIMDEX, M. Le Drian.

« Parfois, certains s’interrogent, même dans le discours public (…) Il faut que les relations soient d’une très grande franchise. Et elles le sont », a aussi affirmé M. Le Drian, au sujet, justement de ces accusations de connivence avec Daesh portées contre l’émirat.

Cela étant, l’objectif de la délégation française est de convaincre Doha d’acquérir trois frégates multimissions Extended Range (FREMM ER), une version imaginée en 2012 par DCNS pour des missions de défense aérienne et de défense anti-missile balistique.

L’acquisition de frégates – ou de corvettes – dotées de capacités antimissiles est une priorité pour le Qatar, dont les forces navales sont très modestes alors qu’il leur revient de protéger une plateforme gazière offshore, dans un contexte régional tendu.

Seulement, DCNS n’est pas le seul candidat en lice : l’italien Fincantieri est aussi sur les rangs. Et, ces derniers mois, Rome n’a pas ménagé ses efforts pour tenter de remporter ce contrat. La décision de Doha sur ce dossier est attendue d’ici l’été prochain afin de permettre la livraison des navires en 2021, soit un an avant la coupe du monde de football que le Qatar doit accueillir.

En outre, la vente de FREMM ER au Qatar serait susceptible d’intéresser la Marine nationale, qui doit, à terme, disposer de deux FREMM avec des capacités de défense aérienne accrues (FREDA) et des moyens de détection plus puissants, notamment avec le radar Sea Fire 500 de Thales.

Par ailleurs, le prix du pétrole s’étant effondré, l’émirat n’a plus les coudées franches pour mener de front tous les programmes destinés à moderniser ses forces armées. Aussi, le contrat portant sur l’acquisition de 22 hélicoptères NH-90, annoncé en 2014, est toujours dans l’attente d’être signé.


http://www.opex360.com/2016/03/29/paris-espere-vendre-trois-fregates-de-defense-aerienne-au-qatar/

Citation :

Qatar completed deal for 24 Rafales


DOHA, Qatar — France and Qatar completed the deal for 24 Dassault Rafale fighter jets at the opening day of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference.

The fighter deal, which includes MBDA missiles, training for 36 pilots and some 100 mechanics, was earlier reported to be worth €6.3 billion (US $6.9 billion); however, it was announced Tuesday that the deal is worth €6.7 billion (US $7.5 billion).

The deal has been made for the same number of jets purchased by Egypt in 2014, but the Qatari deal is priced higher due to the provision of long-range cruise missiles as well as Meteor missiles.

http://www.defensenews.com

Waw 7.5 B$
Ils vont se faire livrer combien de missiles pour justifier un tel prix !!!!!

Citation :

MBDA va fournir des système de missiles côtiers au Qatar


Dans Actualité Défense, Actualité Missiles, Actualité Focus
Publié le 30/03/2016 à 14h18, par Rédaction


Tir d'un MM40 Exocet Block 30 © MBDA


Lors du salon d'armement DIMDEX qui se tient a Doha, MBDA a signé, aujourd'hui, un protocole d'accord pour la fourniture de systèmes de défense côtière pour la Marine qatarienne. Ce protocole doit être suivi d'un contrat estimé à 640 millions d'euros.

La fourniture de ces systèmes de missiles côtiers permettra au Qatar de surveiller le trafic maritime côtier et de neutraliser toutes menaces dans ses eaux territoriales. Ce système est constitué autours de deux munitions différentes : l'Exocet MM40 Block 3 et le Marte ER. Le système peut fonctionner en mode autonome avec son propre radar, ou encore intégré au sein d'un réseau au sein d'un système de surveillance global.

http://www.air-cosmos.com/mbda-va-fournir-des-systeme-de-missiles-cotiers-au-qatar-67779

Citation :

Dimdex 2016 : Finmeccanica set to contribute to Qatar's naval programmes

At this year’s DIMDEX naval exhibition in Doha, Finmeccanica is demonstrating how it can offer its one company leadership in defence, security and aerospace to the nation of Qatar and the surrounding Gulf region. Finmeccanica welcomes visitors to its stand having recently announced that it has chosen “Leonardo” as its new name.




The Gulf region is an important market for Finmeccanica’s growth strategy in the short to medium term. At the show, Finmeccanica is building on a solid foundation of over 20 years partnering with Qatar, starting with the company providing Doha Airport with its air traffic control radars and control centre. Recently, the company provided all of the major systems for the New Doha Airport and in January Finmeccanica’s contract to provide Qatar’s armed forces with low-level radar systems for air surveillance and defence was initiated.

With the focus at DIMDEX on naval matters, Finmeccanica’s priority at the exhibition is to promote its range of related capabilities which are increasingly being recognised in the Gulf region as the gold-standard for integrated naval security. Finmeccanica can provide turnkey Combat Management Systems for all classes of military vessels and is the main provider to the UAE Navy in this domain. Last year the company also signed a contract with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force to upgrade six naval vessels which are on-target for completion in less than 5 years’ time. Finmeccanica’s broad capability can be seen on the FREMM Frigate Carabiniere visiting Doha Port during DIMDEX.

In the Gulf region there are several upgrade programmes of interest to the company for corvettes, frigates and offshore patrol vessels and Finmeccanica is looking to position its combat system for the new programmes that naval forces have launched for all sizes of ships.



For a number of years the Qatari Emiri Navy has secured the country’s waters with Finmeccanica’s 40L70 turrets and 76/62mm guns. Finmeccanica is interested in providing further capabilities including the C310 anti-torpedo defence system, 76/62 gun mount and 30mm Marlin Weapon Station for the Qatari Emiri Navy’s corvettes and the HITFIST® 30mm two man turret / HITFIST® 30mm Overhead Weapon Station, both suitable for the Qatari Emiri Land Force’s future programmes.

For maritime surveillance requirements, Finmeccanica is also offering a range of airborne ISTAR capabilities and the Falco tactical unmanned air vehicle, already conducting successful operations elsewhere in the Middle East. With Qatar and other Gulf countries showing significant interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon, the company is also supporting Typhoon campaign for the Qatari Emiri Air Force. Finmeccanica is a major contributor to the platform which includes leading the consortia that deliver the aircraft’s radar, IRST and defensive aids suite.
Finmeccanica is also marketing with the Qatari Emiri Air Force its latest generation advanced and lead-in fighter trainer M-346, which has been designed to provide the best possible balance between high training effectiveness and low life-cycle cost.

In addition, Finmeccanica has an established presence in regional helicopter markets, having delivered aircraft to the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These cover both civil and military applications and include a range of different models including the AW109 series, AW139. AW169, AW189, the Super Lynx 300 and the NH90. A number of helicopter types are ideally suited for future requirements across the Gulf region, including the AW101, AW149, NH90, AW169 and the AW609 TiltRotor.

Qatar has ordered 21 new-generation AW139 for a number of military applications. In the commercial market, Gulf Helicopters operates a fleet of AW139s for offshore transport missions and has placed an order for 15 AW189s for the same application.

Finmeccanica is proud to have enhanced the safety and security of the region’s air traffic management. In the wider Gulf region, the company is supplying six fixed and transportable air traffic control systems to the Royal Saudi Air Force, a number of critical airport systems including network infrastructure and air traffic control for Kuwait City Airport and radar systems in Bahrain.

Finmeccanica also recognizes the potential for securing civil infrastructure in the region, such as airports, ports and oil and gas platforms. The company can provide a range of solutions from physical border protection up to complex integrated command and control systems for sports stadiums and their infrastructure, as well as integrated cyber security solutions based on its 25 years of experience in the domain.

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3779

Citation :

10 Major Defence Deals Announced on Day 2 of DIMDEX 2016 in Doha Qatar

The second day of the fifth Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2016) opened with ten major deals signed between Qatar and exhibiting companies. At a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony, the following were announced:







1. A MoU between the Qatar Emiri Air Force and US company Lockheed Martin for a QAR 50 million, 3-year C-130 maintenance contract
2. A QAR 2.6 billion MoU between the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and European company MBDA for a coastal battery system
3. A QAR 240 million MoU between the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and MBDA for new Exocet MM40 B3 missiles
4. A QAR 95 million MoU between the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and German company MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH for maintenance and overhaul of the MTU propulsion system
5. A MoU between the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and Qatari company Nakilat for the training of navy officers
6. A Euro 32.5 million MoU between Al Zaeem M.B.A.A. Air Academy and French company DCI for fighter and helicopter pilot training
7. A QAR 365 million MoU between the Qatar Emiri Air Force and German company Reiner Stemme Utility Air-Systems GmbH for the production of drones
8. A MoU between the Qatar Armed Forces and the Polish company WKK for the purchase of 51% of the company’s shares, who specialise in the manufacture of composite materials and fuselage production
9. A QAR 60 million MoU between the Qatar Armed Forces and French company Thales for Searchmaster radar
10. A MoU between the Qatar Armed Forces and the Chinese National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CASIC) for the provision of support in the fields of production and military cooperation between the drone project committee and CASIC


In the afternoon, The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC), part of DIMDEX 2016, successfully concluded yesterday under the auspices of Chief of General Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces, H.E. Major General (Pilot) Ghanem Bin Shaheen Al-Ghanem.

Held under the theme: “The Maritime Domain – The Centre of Gravity for the Regional Security Complex of the Arabian Gulf”, MENC welcomed senior naval commanders and academics to Doha to discuss the most relevant issues currently facing maritime security in the region.

The authoritative military and academic speakers hailing from Canada, France, India, Italy, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey and USA examined a diverse range of topics relating to the maritime security complex for the Arabian Gulf states, expanding beyond a narrow viewpoint of military security to include energy security, environmental security and freedom of navigation around maritime choking points.

MENC is a key component of DIMDEX 2016’s three-day programme and as with the exhibition, official VIP delegations and warship visits, MENC is both hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces for the first time this year.

Brig. Dr. (Eng) Thani A. Al-Kuwari, Chairman of DIMDEX said:
“The fifth edition of the MENC conference provides a high profile industry forum for GCC and international naval commanders to share their insights on the strategic challenges facing the security of regional waters. With a high calibre of speakers and topical agenda, MENC acts as Qatar’s prestigious platform for thought leadership in international maritime defence policy and practice.”

In his opening remarks at MENC, Chief of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, Staff Major General (Sea) Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Mohannadi said:
“The security and economies of all states along the coast of the Arabian Gulf rely on the protection of our territorial waters and the ability to defend these waters from evolving threats is fundamental. Regional and international coordination and cooperation is required to guarantee the energy security, environmental security and freedom of navigation of our waters from both the conventional and unconventional challenges we face in this geo-strategic region.”


http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3784

Citation :

Le Qatar sélectionne le radar SearchMaster de Thales
Dans Actualité Défense, Actualité Radar
Publié le 31/03/2016 à 08h53, par Guillaume Belan



C'est à Doha, durant le salon d'armement DIMDEX, que les autorités qatariennes et Thales ont signé un Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pour l'acquisition du radar SearchMaster. Dévoilé durant le dernier salon Euronaval, le SearchMaster est un radar à antennes actives, issu du développement du radar RBE2 du Rafale.
Ce MoU, qui doit être concrétisé par un contrat, n'est pas une réelle surprise. Il doit équiper le futur drone qatarien optionnellement piloté, pour lequel Thales avait été sélectionné en 2014. Grâce à ses excellentes performances, le SearchMatser peut conduire des missions de détection air-air ; air-sol et air-mer. On ne sait toujours pas quel aéronef sera choisi pour constituer le futur aéronef à pilotage optionnel (OPV-A) qatarien dont Thales est chargé du développement.


http://www.air-cosmos.com/le-qatar-selectionne-le-radar-searchmaster-de-thales-67867

Citation :

Ministry of Defence of Qatar showed a interest for new armored vehicles made in Ukraine
Apr 8, 2016



The Ministry of Defence of Qatar showed a special interest for new KrAZ armored vehicles made in Ukraine.

“AutoKrAZ” for the first time ever took part in International Maritime Naval Defence and Security Exhibition DIMDEX-2016 held March 29-31 in the capital of Qatar (Дoha). This year the number of exhibitors amounts to 180 companies from 58 countries of the world. The Ambassador of Ukraine Mr.Yevgeniy Mikitenko, officials of the embassy of Ukraine and delegation of deputies representing Ukraine-Qatar group of friendship participated in the exhibition opening ceremony.

Germany, Turkey, Great Britain, USA, Italy and France had an impressive display of their products. Ukraine has showcased its weaponry at this exhibition for the first time ever. State Company “SpetzTekhnoExport” under the auspices of the embassy of Ukraine displayed products of the largest Ukrainian companies. “AutoKrAZ” along with other exhibitors representing Ukrainian Defence Industry such as KB “Luch”, NPO “Fort”, KhGZ “Pallada” showcased its novelties intended for use by the army.

Ukrainian exhibits have been among the most frequently attended at the exhibition. The Ministry of Defence of Qatar showed a special interest for new armored vehicles made in Ukraine: KrAZ vehicles. A series of negotiations were held under the auspices of the embassy of Ukraine with Qatar officials such as the Minister of Defence, the Minster of Energy and Qatar businessmen concerning cooperation between our countries. “AutoKrAZ” believes that participation in this exhibition is a very important step in promotion of its vehicles in the market of Middle East.



The KrAZ-MPV Fiona is multirole armored off-road mine protected vehicle with V-hull based on KrAZ-6322. Intended for operations on transportation Special Forces personnel, cargoes and equipment.


The KrAZ-MPV Shrek One is multirole off-road mine protected vehicle with V-hull used to carry Special Forces personnel, cargoes and equipment.

The KrAZ-6322 Raptor is a heavy multi-purpose armored vehicle. Designed for prompt transportation of personnel of military units and various equipment, towing of trailers and artillery systems in the most hostile environmental conditions of all the continents.


http://defence-blog.com/army/ministry-of-defence-of-qatar-showed-a-interest-for-new-armored-vehicles-made-in-ukraine.html

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Sen. Ben Cardin: Decision May Come Soon on F-15 Sale to Qatar
Joe Gould and Awad Mustafa, Defense News 6:45 p.m. EDT April 8, 2016


WASHINGTON AND DUBAI — According to the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a decision on Qatar's purchase of 73 F-15 Silent Eagles may come soon.

US Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., told Defense News on his recent return from a Middle East trip to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel said that he met with Qatari Defense Minister, Shiekh Khalid Al-Attiyah, and discussed the F-15 SE subject.

Qatar's request has been delayed for two years. Although the Defense Department and State departments have both supported the sales, according to a congressional source, the White House has put on the brakes. According to Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, Qatar is seeking 73 jets — 36 in the first tranche, a buy that would take 42 months to be delivered.

Cardin said that although the decision is still up to the administration, he believes that there’s a good chance that sale will go through.

"The president’s going to be in Saudi Arabia [soon]. I have no indication from the White House, but I expect by then there will be some decisions made," Cardin added.

Cardin said that Qatar is a small country with a relatively small military capacity, so the modernization of their aircraft could be something that would be useful in the coalition.

"It is one of the only countries in the region that doesn’t have the more modern fighter. I think they have a total of seven pilots in that country so it’s not a country of great capacity. I think it’s more any military sale in the region, the administration trying to review this in conjunction with the post-JCPOA environment to make — they know they have the Saudis, and they have some other sales coming up here," he said.

He added that the Obama administration is trying to be consistent, both in dealing with the threat of Iran and the security of Israel.

During his visit to Israel, Cardin said that Israeli officials discussed their concerns about their neighbors being equipped by the US.

"The realities of the modernization of military coalition partners did come up, which Israel is always concerned could coalesce against their interests. We recognize the precautions on all of these sales. I think they would prefer to see us as the supplier of the military armaments rather than other countries. So I think there is a general understanding that what we’re doing is right," he said

Israeli officials in February expressed angst over the potential US deal with Qatar.

“We don’t want to be blamed for closing down the line, but at the same time, our American friends understand that we have serious problems with Qatar,” an Israeli government source told Defense News.

In interviews granted on condition of anonymity, that official and a recently retired Israeli cabinet member said Israel’s opposition stems from Qatar’s support for extreme Sunni Islamic organizations. They also criticized the Doha-based al Jazeera Arabic television network for “inciting extremists to violence” against Israel.

“Why do we object to Qatar? Because Qatar directly helps Hamas and has an ideology that fuels extremists like the Muslim Brotherhood,” the former Israeli cabinet official said.

The former official said he did not know where things now stood with Washington, but noted that before he left office more than a year ago, the assumption was that Israel would try to prevail on its US partners to reject the sale to Qatar.

Last month during the Doha International Maritime Defence Conference and Exhibition (DIMDEX 2016), assistant director to the Qatari National Security Shield militarisation project Brigadier Tariq Al-Obaidli said that partner nations drawing down in the region is forcing Gulf Cooperation Council countries to shift their defense strategy and evolve their military doctrines.

"The change in focus of friendly and partner nations stationed in the Gulf with military bases towards the Far East and specifically South East Asia with what is called Pivoting to Asia will create a vacuum in the region which forces us to re-evaluate our military doctrines, therefore it has become more clear to Gulf countries that the current presence of friendly nations in the gulf will be only symbolic," he said.

This week Kuwait, another Gulf coalition partner that has suffered from delays for a contract to purchase 40 F/A-18 Super Hornets signed an 8 billion Euro deal with the European Eurofighter consortium.

According to Jean-Marc Rickli, assistant professor with the Department of Defence Studies at King's College London and lecturer at the Joaan Bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College in Qatar, the perceived feeling of abandonment by the West among Gulf leaders and militaries is strong.

"(The feeling) grew out of the West reactions to the Arab Spring, the West nonintervention in Syria and the US reengagement with Iran. This perception made them prone to be more proactive. The Saudi intervention in Yemen is a case in point," Rickli said.

These new contracts, Rickli said, should be seen as a result of US perceived disengagement toward the Gulf states since the beginning of the Arab Spring.

"Weapons procurement has always be a way to cultivate and diversify allies for the Gulf countries. Since 2015, another factor has been added: the impetus under Saudi leadership for the Gulf states to guarantee their own security and contribute to regional security. This requires new capabilities," he said.






http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/budget/2016/04/08/united-arab-emirates-f15/82813054/

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Italy, France Clash Over Naval Deal With Qatar
Tom Kington and Pierre Tran, Defense News 10:45 a.m. EDT April 15, 2016


ROME AND PARIS — Italy and France are locked in a battle to sell new naval vessels to Qatar, which is in a hurry to buy a defense kit as it prepares to host the Soccer World Cup in 2022.

The Italo-French clash took center stage last month at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) in Qatar when Italy’s defense minister thought she was about to sign a nonbinding agreement for the sale of corvettes, only for the ceremony to be postponed after French lobbying, sources knowledgeable of the event said.

The incident is the latest in a series of tussles over naval sales between France and Italy, two countries who have organized not one, but two joint ship-building programs in recent years.
Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti flew to Qatar for the show, which was held March 29-31, with the aim of signing the nonbinding agreement to sell four corvettes and one supply vessel to the Qatari navy.

The minister was accompanied by Mauro Moretti, CEO of Finmeccanica, and Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Italian shipyard Fincantieri, the two firms set to be involved in the deal.

The high-level delegation arrived in Doha following the visit to Rome in January by Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, his first since taking the throne in June 2013.

One source knowledgeable of talks about naval vessels said that Italian financing of a deal, which could have been worth €3.5 billion (US $3.9 billion), was discussed, as was Italian involvement in the construction of a military hospital in Qatar.

France had previously offered its own deal for naval vessels but had not reached the point of signing any deal, binding or nonbinding.

But at DIMDEX, the French lobbied hard to have a chance to make a new, revised offer, sources in Italy told Defense News.

“France asked for time to change its offer,” one source said.

“The Qatari minister of defense decided to oblige,” a second source said.


French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met Al-Thani at DIMDEX, while DCNS Chairman Hervé Guillou and Thales Senior Executive Vice-President Pascale Sourisse also attended the maritime exhibition.

France returned to negotiations with a discounted offer of three vessels, which would be variants on the FREMM frigates it built in a parallel development with the Italian Navy launched in 2005, the Italian sources said.

The vessels would be equipped with MBDA Aster 30 missiles to hit ballistic missiles and Exocet, an anti-ship weapon, according to the French website LaTribune. “The ship would be heavily armed,” a French defense executive said.

Aster 30 is designed to hit targets more than 100 kilometers away, giving the frigate an extended range of strike. The French Navy sails Horizon, a 7,000 ton air defense frigate fitted with Aster 30, and the 6,000 ton FREMM frigate armed with Aster 15, which has a range of more than 30 kilometers.

DCNS, Thales and MBDA declined to comment.

Thales has previously supplied Qatar MRR 3D and Triton naval radars, as well as Tiger and Master land-based radars, a spokeswoman said. Master predates the more advanced Ground Master system.

France and Qatar hold close bilateral ties, said Mariane Renaux of Kyrema, a consultancy.

On Sept. 22, France signed a cooperation agreement on military training, following a statement of intent signed in May on cooperation on organizing the World Cup competition in 2022.

Those agreements follow a 1994 defense and security cooperation accord and other bilateral pacts.

“Doha is significantly increasing spending in military equipment for several reasons,” Renaux said.

There is concern over the potential risk from Iran and tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia. “If it wants to maintain a relative independence in its foreign policy, Qatar has to arm itself," she said. Doha is looking to protect offshore oil platforms and the World Cup matches.

Renaux added: “DCNS needs exports.”

The naval company needs to boost performance in 2016 after returning to profit in 2015 following a 2014 net loss of €347.3 million. A Qatar order is vital for the shipyard at Lorient, northern France.

In a separate deal on March 30, Qatar and MBDA signed at DIMDEX a memorandum of understanding for a coastal missile system worth some €640 million, the missile company said in a statement.

The system can be armed with the Exocet MM40 Block 3 and the Marte extended range missiles. The missiles can be guided by radars on their own system or a coastal surveillance network.

Doha has also ordered 24 Dassault Rafale fighters and missiles worth a total €6.7 billion.

Of that order, some €2 billion is for missiles, marking the biggest export deal for MBDA, a second French defense executive said. Sagem's modular air-ground armament (AASM), a smart bomb, is included in that order.

Despite the recent Qatar-France deals, one Italian source said he still backed Italy to close the naval deal. “The corvettes are preferred and this latest
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/2016/04/15/italy-france-qatar-navy-world-cup/83074668/

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Reuters: US poised to approve $4 billion fighter jet sales to Qatar


7 hours ago by Peter Kovessy



Qatar’s purchase of 36 F-15 fighter jets from American manufacturer Boeing has cleared two key hurdles and is expected to receive White House approval, Reuters has reported.

If the deal goes through, it would be Qatar’s latest multibillion-dollar arms purchase as part of a massive military buildup that includes a significant expansion of its air force.

Qatar’s plans to increase the size of its air force fleet through the purchase of 72 new fighter jets was first reported in 2013.

Since then, Qatar has agreed to purchase 24 Rafale planes from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation in a deal worth QR27.75 billion.

Other deals in the works

Meanwhile, both the UK ambassador to Qatar and the British Defense Secretary have said in recent months that they remain hopeful the Gulf state will buy Typhoon fighter jets from BAE Systems.

Military publication Defense News previously said that Boeing’s F-15 sale had been held up after Israeli lobbyists had voiced “concerns” about the transaction.

It also reported that Boeing’s production line in the US state of Missouri could be shuttered unless Qatar’s order was approved or it received another major order.

The Reuters report comes as US President Barack Obama travels to Saudi Arabia this week in a visit some are calling an attempt to smooth over ties with the Gulf states in the aftermath of the Iran nuclear deal.

Thoughts?

http://dohanews.co/reuters-us-poised-approve-4-billion-fighter-jet-sales-qatar/

DES F15 !!!!
Bon taxi mais vieillot ...

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Experts Call on Qatar To Install SHORAD for World Cup
Awad Mustafa, Defense News 7:48 a.m. EDT April 25, 2016




DUBAI — As Qatar upgrades its military and defensive capabilities ahead of the 2022 World Cup, experts have called for the need to install advanced short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems.

Speaking to Defense News, retired Lt. Col. David Montgomery Leigh, of Britain's Parachute Regiment, warned that terrorist groups are rapidly developing off-the-shelf technology and have acquired a tactical surprise capacity.

“Few people in the defense industry are seeing the threat from low-tech, high-impact projectiles with explosive warheads that terrorists can use. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to operate such a capability that takes place in a matter of minutes," he said.

“My concern for the Qatari World Cup 2022 is the evolving use of low-altitude mortars and rockets that is occurring as we speak is going to be an issue. Why? Because the terrorists have their own version of low-tech miniaturization that gives them a tactical surprise capacity. After all, such weapons can be launched from the back of a garbage cart or boot of a car,” Leigh said.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/strike/2016/04/25/shorad-qatar-world-cup-terrorism/83399710/

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Monday, 2 May 2016

Qatar to procure Raytheon's RIM-116C Rolling Airframe Missiles for its Navy

Qatar will procure Raytheon RIM-116C and RIM-116C-2 Rolling Airframe Missiles after the US State Department approved the possible Foreign Military Sale. The new missiles will be used for the protection of naval forces and nearby oil/gas infrastructure from air and missile threats.






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