MBDA signs €1B missile deal with Qatar Emiri Naval Forces

Italian missile manufacturer MBDA signed a 1 billion euro contract on June 29 to supply the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) with missiles for their new naval vessels to be procured from Fincantieri.

Qatar is to acquire a total of seven surface vessels under the 3.9 billion euro contract which followed the Letter of Award signed in Rome on June 16 within the framework of a Government to Government agreement signed between the Ministry of Defence of Italy and that of Qatar.

Fincantieri will deliver four corvettes of over 100 meters in length, one amphibious vessel (LPD – Landing Platform Dock), and two patrol vessels (OPV – Offshore Patrol Vessel) as well as support services in Qatar for further 15 years after the delivery of the vessels.

In this respect, MBDA will be supplying the Qatari Navy in due course with Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles as well as Aster 30 Block 1 and VL MICA air defense missiles.

Antonio Perfetti, Managing Director MBDA Italia and Executive Group Director Sales & Business Development MBDA, commented: “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.”