It has been only six years since it was formally launched at the 2018 edition of DIMDEX, but Barzan Holdings, the strategic investment and procurement arm of the Qatari Ministry of Defense (MoD), has already had a major impact on the country’s nascent but rapidly growing indigenous defence industry.
The defence conglomerate, which is also a Strategic Partner and Gold Sponsor of the ongoing event, acts as a bridge between homegrown defence companies and their international counterparts, thus helping local firms enhance their capabilities. According to company officials, the focus is on introducing new-age advanced defence technologies to Qatar, either in the form of joint ventures or direct investment by international firms. Among the projects or companies that Barzan has invested in are UK’s Aeralis modular jet trainer and US-based Electra.aero. The company is also reportedly working with U.S. defence firms for the transfer and localization of advanced electronic warfare (EW) technologies.
Ever since Barzan entered the picture, Qatar has moved away from depending solely on arms imports to developing its domestic defence industry. The company is focused not only on ensuring that the capabilities of local defence companies grow enough to meet the country’s military needs, but also on creating opportunities for indigenous firms to export their products. Among the company’s subsidiaries are Barzan Maintenance Shield, which provides MRO services for the country’s defence and security sector, Barood Ammunition Factory, Barzan Industrial Group, BQ Solutions, Special Operations Training Company and Barzan Aeronautical, which is focused on the application and use of aerial ISR systems.
Barzan’s joint ventures include Bindig, a JV with Beretta Holding to provide the Qatar Armed Forces portable weapons’ systems, and Edraq Healthcare Solutions, an initiative involving the company and Aspen Medical Australia that provides healthcare solutions to the Qatar Armed Forces as well as other stakeholders within the country. Rheinmetall Barzan Advanced Technologies QSTP-LLC (RBAT), a partnership involving German technology company Rheinmetall, provides technology-focused solutions to domestic and foreign security and defence clients. Barer Holding, another JV, also involves Barzan Holdings, Amiri Guards, and Octay Ercan Barer.
The company, which is exhibiting a wide range of capabilities at the ongoing Show, is expected to be at the forefront of what promises to be an impressive performance by domestic companies. The growth of the indigenous defence sector comes at a time when Iraq has embarked on an ambitious military modernisation program; the country’s recent investment in combat aircraft capability has led to the acquisition of the Boeing F-15QA, Dassault Aviation Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, BAE Systems Hawk 167 and Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainers.
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