Defence in Qatar

Thales has been partnering with the Qatar Armed Forces for more than 35 years. Today, Thales is supporting the modernisation of the Armed Forces with the introduction of latest generation solutions, from airborne or unmanned aerial systems to naval equipment. The Qatar’s signal corps, tactical radios and networks including PR4G and UHF/VHF are also supplied by Thales Group.

In 2014, the Group signed a major agreement with national authorities to supply the Qatar Armed Forces with a long-range satellite communications system, complementing the pre-existing military radio communications system. Thales therefore supplies the systems for transmitting and receiving communications via satellite, in addition to the ground equipment needed to process the data. The Land Forces are using a Thales tactical C4i.

For the Navy, Thales provides electronic systems including radars and communications, combat management systems and electronic warfare solutions. Thales has been an OEM on-board both the Damash Class (1983) and Barzan Class (1992) warships. In 2012, a contract was awarded to Thales to upgrade the Barzan Class. This included the modernisation of the radars, combat system, counter-measures and communication systems.

Thales has supplied electronic systems for the Qatar Emiri Air Force’s Mirage F1, Alphajet and Mirage 2000-5 and for the Gazelle helicopters. In 2015, Qatar announced the purchase of 24 Dassault Rafale jet fighters. An option for 12 more fighters was confirmed in December 2017. Thales equips the Rafale combat aircraft with multi-sensor capability systems, such as the RBE2 AESA, the first European combat radar with an active electronic scanning antenna. Furthermore, the Group supplies Spectra electronic warfare suite, optronics, communication, navigation & identification system, avionics and power generation & conversion systems. These systems represent around 25% of the total value of the Rafale.

In the field of Air Defence, the Group has provided the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) with air surveillance systems.

In 2011, Thales was awarded a contract to supply the Qatar Armed Forces with a civil integrated airport solution for the Al Udeid Air Force Base. The solution includes a TopSky – ATC air traffic management system, primary and secondary radars, two ILSs and DMEs, a DVOR and a TACAN system. More Thales solutions shall help support QEAF’s development, as part of major upcoming contracts.

In the frame of the contract signed between Leonardo and Qatar Emiri Armed Force (QEAF) in August 2018 for 28 NH90 Helicopters (16 TTH and 12 NFH), Thales supplies ENR radar, Avionics, EW CATS, radios, and Transmission Data Link