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 Qatari Ministry of Defense) for a partnership and the procurement of 490 VBCI for the Qatari forces (Al Rayyan program), Barzan will display on its booth two models of VBCI, one equipped with a 30mm canon and another one with a Nexter T40CT turret. These materials have just completed a series of trials that have once again highlighted the qualities and performances of the VBCI.
Nexter and Barzan intend to establish a Joint Venture in Qatar. This JV will be the local industrial base to deliver and maintain complete vehicles for the Al Rayyan program, as well as to consider other future cooperation which could lead to the development of the unmanned T40CT turret, of which a model will be presented at the exhibition. The parties will also identify other areas of collaboration which are currently being studied.