Arquus is present at DIMDEX from March 4 to 6, 2024, an opportunity to reaffirm its industrial cooperation capabilities in a key geographical area. Arquus will be hosted on the Barzan Holdings stand (H7-127), which will be showcasing one of the modernised VABs in Qatar.
Qatar Armed Forces: Local Modernisation Programme for the QAF VAB Fleet
In 1982, the Qatar Armed Forces acquired VAB Mk1, which have since been supported by Arquus.
In 2018, the Qatar Armed Forces decided to extend the service life of these VABs and signed a contract to modernise them.
The programme includes studies to modernise and modify the vehicles, their repair and the training of industrial and military personnel in France and Qatar.
The first VABs are being modernised in France, while a production line is being set up at a military base in Qatar. To date, 126 vehicles have been fully modernised.
An additional contract covering the modernisation of a further 54 VABs is currently being negotiated.
At the end of July 2023, the VAB assembly line was visited by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, as part of a possible local production of 8x8 armoured vehicles in Qatar.
This is a real highlight for Arquus, the first French defence company to succeed in localising the production of military vehicles in Qatar, a source of pride shared by the Qatari armed forces.
A contract to train 25 cadets in France for 6 months in the maintenance of modernized VABs was honoured in 2023, leading to the graduation of future officers in charge of maintenance.
Arquus with Qatar Internal Security Force:
Arquus has also a strong presence in the Internal Security Forces (Special Unit plus Operations and Support Unit), which acquired the HIGUARD 6x6 and SHERPA 4x4 a few years ago.
At the latest Milipol Qatar trade fairs, ARQUUS presented its latest models developed in the tactical range: the VAB Q modernised in Qatar, the FORTRESS, and the VAB Mk3.
About Arquus
Arquus is a French defence company and a leader in ground mobility solutions. As a long-standing partner of the armed forces, Arquus has almost 25,000 vehicles of all types in service with the French Army, including 20,000 supported by the company. Arquus is involved in the production of the new generation of Army vehicles, the VBMR Griffon and EBRC Jaguar, produced by the temporary consortium. In particular, Arquus is responsible for supplying the drivelines and the remotely operated self-defence systems for these two vehicles. Arquus also provides all the logistics for replacement parts and units for the VBMR and EBRC vehicles under the Scorpion programme through its logistics platform at Garchizy, France.
As a support specialist, with almost 20,000 vehicles supported on a routine basis, Arquus offers complete solutions, drawing on the company’s historic competencies. These solutions rely on an international logistics network supported by the network of the Volvo Group, of which Arquus is a member. Arquus is an innovative company, investing in major projects such as architecture, survivability, mobility, energy, robotics, fire support and support. As a complete systems integration manufacturer,
Arquus also offers remotely operated turrets (Hornet range, developed for the Scorpion programme), vetronics solutions (Battlenet) and mobility solutions (4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 chassis). Arquus exports to more than 60 countries. (Photo © Arquus: French Minister of Armed Forces’ Visit of the VAB Workshop in Qatar)
