MBDA to supply missiles to Qatar
MBDA Italia has received a contract worth around $1.12 billion to supply the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) with missiles for their new Fincantieri naval vessels, it announced on 29 June.
The contract will see MBDA deliver Aster 30 Block 1 and VL Mica air defence missiles as well as Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles. The contract falls under the framework agreement signed between Italy and Qatar.
Antonio Perfetti, managing director, MBDA Italia, said: 'This contract represents a further confirmation of the significant role that MBDA plays in the missile sector, not only in Europe, but also worldwide. It is proof of MBDA’s capability, thanks to its very comprehensive portfolio of world class solutions, of being able to address the most stringent and diverse of customer missile systems requirements. The contract consolidates MBDA’s highly valued partnership with Qatar and is further proof also of the value of the solutions offered by the company to meet its customers’ requirements.'
The Aster 30 Block 1 is a surface-to-air short to long range missile designed to combat high-speed threats such as combat aircraft, cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and unmanned combat air vehicles. The VL Mica is a short-range, fire-and-forget missile that can be fitted with a heat-seeking homing head or an active radar.
The Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missile is a ship-borne missile with a mission planning software module that automatically calculates engagement plans to support firing decisions.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026]()
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
-
![GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements]()
GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements
The US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting.
-
![How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence]()
How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence
The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.
-
![Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing]()
Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing
The partnership with the US airframer will see Palantir’s AI software leveraged to help streamline data analytics across Boeing’s 12 factories on defence and classified programmes.
-
![DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities]()
DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities
DroneShield disclosed to Shephard its plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capacities while strengthening partnerships with US suppliers.
-
![Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities]()
Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities
The technology organisation is expecting a significant rise in the number of staff working across robotics and digital solutions as it becomes more of a focal point.
