Australia to respond to surface fleet review in 2024
The Australian government will receive the much-anticipated independent Royal Australian Navy surface fleet review today, but will not publish the document or its response until next year.
Qatar signs MoU for coastal missile system
MBDA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a coastal defence system to the Qatar Emiri Naval Force (QENF), it announced on 30 March. The agreement is expected to pave the way for a $724 million contract for the company.
These systems are capable of deploying two different munitions – the Marte ER missile and Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missile.
The system can work by data-linking to a higher level within a wider coastal surveillance network or in autonomous mode with its own radar. QENF will use the missile systems to monitor maritime coastal traffic and engage hostile ships threatening their territorial waters.
The Exocet MM40 Block 3 missile is the latest-generation ship-borne version of the Exocet family in service with several navies. It provides enhanced operational performance and technology upgrades, with a mission planning software module that automatically computes engagement plans to support firing decisions.
The MARTE ER is a third-generation member of the MARTE family of missile systems, derived from the MARTE Mk2/S that is already in service with the Italian Navy on its NFH90 and AW101 helicopters. The ER features a turbo engine in place of the rocket motor used in the Mk2/S. It has a sea-skimming flight profile and mid autonomous mid-course guidance.
Antoine Bouvier, chief executive officer, MBDA, said: ‘This MoU represents the first step towards the signing of a contract for this new and innovative coastal missile system. This is a further confirmation of the trust placed by the Qatar Armed Forces in MBDA for its defence requirements.’
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Australia to respond to surface fleet review in 2024]()
-
![Taiwan reveals first indigenous submarine to much fanfare]()
Taiwan reveals first indigenous submarine to much fanfare
Taiwan has made good progress with its submarine programme, revealing its initial boat in late September.
-
![HII reaches milestone in construction of USS Arkansas submarine]()
HII reaches milestone in construction of USS Arkansas submarine
HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has completed the pressure hull for the Virginia-class submarine USS Arkansas (SSN 800) meaning that all of the hull sections were joined to form a single watertight unit, marking a significant milestone in the construction process.
-
![Italian Navy overcomes delays in PPA ship deliveries]()
Italian Navy overcomes delays in PPA ship deliveries
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the third of seven Pattugliatori Polivalenti d'Altura (PPA) Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel to the Italian Navy during a ceremony on 27 September.
-
![India to speed up acquisition of further aircraft carrier]()
India to speed up acquisition of further aircraft carrier
India's first domestically built aircraft carrier was massively late by six years, but the country thinks it can do better with the next ship.
-
![Serco to support USN anti-terror effort under new technology services contract]()
Serco to support USN anti-terror effort under new technology services contract
Serco has been awarded a $200 million contract by the US Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific to provide technology support services for anti-terrorism efforts, including deployment of the Physical Security Information Management System (PSIM).
