Nexter, Barzan Sign Two Memorandums of Understanding

15.03.2018 Joint Ventures
Nexter, Barzan Sign Two Memorandums of Understanding

Nexter, Barzan Sign Two Memorandums of Understanding

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During the DIMDEX exhibition (Doha, Qatar, 12-14 March 2018), Nasser Al Naimi, Managing Director of Barzan Holdings and Stéphane Mayer, CEO of Nexter and co-CEO of KNDS announced the signature of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between their two companies.

 

Following the signature of a letter of intent on the 7th of December 2017 between Nexter and the Qatari Ministry of Defense (through Barzan Holdings, a company 100% owned by the Ministry of Defense of Qatar) for a partnership around the procurement of VBCI for the Qatari forces (Al Rayyan program), a Joint Venture (JV) has been established in Qatar and will be the local industrial base to deliver and maintain complete vehicles for the Al Rayyan program.

 

The first MoU represents a major step in the strategic partnership between Qatar and France: it will allow cooperation between Nexter, the French leader in land defense, and Barzan, a Qatari strategic industrial player. Together they will work to finalize the Qatari VBCI program. Other common projects are under consideration to propose complementary solutions to the Qatari forces.

 

The second MoU between Barzan Holdings, Nexter and all other industrial partners for the Al Rayan program formalizes the industrial cooperation and the launches the contractual process.

 

Stéphane Mayer underlined that Nexter is fully committed to provide operational equipment to Qatar. Two VBCI were displayed on the Barzan booth, one equipped with a 30mm canon and a Nexter 40CT turret on the Nexter booth on Barzan pavilion.

 

Nasser Al Naimi, Managing Director of Barzan Holdings said: “Barzan Holdings is delighted to partner with Nexter, a leading French defense company on this strategic program. The VBCI program will empower the military capabilities of the Qatar Armed Forces and represents a major step forward in Qatar’s defense industry.”

 

Nexter, the leading French land defense company and third European player in the ammunition sector is part of the KNDS Group. It is dedicated to meet the needs of the French land forces and of Nations on an international scale.

 

The scope of Nexter’s business includes the supply of weapon systems and ammunition for air and naval forces. Nexter also provides systems and protection solutions in the field of homeland security. The group continues to apply its international development policy with 60% of the order intake in 2016 and 2017 intended for the export market.

 

In France, Nexter is fully committed to meet the objectives of the SCORPION program, through the renovation of the Leclerc tank and the development of the future VBMR and EBRC vehicles within the GME (temporary business venture between Nexter, Thales and Renault Trucks Defense) as well as the VBMR Light.

 

The group’s range of products includes ARAVIS®, TITUS® and VBCI armored vehicles, CAESAR®, TRAJAN® and 105LG1 artillery systems, smart ammunition (BONUS), many equipment, as well as customer service, support and revaluation.

 

Nexter’s 2016 turnover amounted to €866 million, of which 19% is allocated to Research and Development activities.

 

Barzan Holdings was established in 2016 as a limited liability company located at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and is 100% owned by Qatar’s Ministry of Defense.

 

Leading the concept behind Barzan Holdings, its establishment and future direction is H.E. Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs. Barzan Holdings is led day-to-day by its Managing Director Mr. Nasser Hassan Al Haji Al Naimi and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mohammed Mubarak A. E. Al Khater.

 

Barzan Holdings is responsible for empowering the military capabilities of the Qatari Armed Forces. This will be achieved by partnering with leading international companies and organizations in the defense field.

 

Acting as a commercial gateway for the defense industry in Qatar, Barzan Holdings is open for business and provides opportunities for international companies to collaborate on R&D, facilitate knowledge transfer and create innovative defense and security technologies.

 



 
 

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