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
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat]()
Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat
Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.
-
![Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister]()
Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister
Estonia is looking to boost its local defence industry with directed funding, industry parks, support through international orders for equipment and rapid prototyping.
-
![UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens]()
UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens
The UK has recently deployed a Type 45 destroyer to Cyprus and has bolstered its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks with supporting air power to protect neighbouring countries’ air defences.
-
![White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production]()
White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production
Intended to sustain Operation Epic Fury against Iran, efforts to increase the production of weapons and ammunition could expose long-standing weaknesses in the US defence industrial base.
-
![India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict]()
India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict
The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.
-
![Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?]()
Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?
The Pentagon spent a considerable number of THAAD and SM-3 rounds to defend against Iranian missiles in 2025 and has not fully replenished its reserves.
