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official delegations, including 14 indigenous defence industry, one one related to the transfer of pro-
defence ministers as well as more that has grown exponentially under duction and technology for laser
than 15 chiefs of staff and naval the leadership of Barzan Holdings, guidance kits (LGK) and the other
commanders. Visitor participation the commercial gateway for for collaboration in cutting-edge
was higher than in any previous Qatar’s domestic defence compa- electronic warfare (EW) technology
edition, with over 25,000 visitors nies. The growing list of entities to strengthen Qatar’s land forces
attending the event. The warships under Barzan Holdings includes capabilities.
display at Hamad Port, which was wholly owned subsidiaries Barzan
one of the highlights of the event, Maintenance Shield (BMS), Barzan Unmanned Future
featured warships from Pakistan, Industrial Group (BIG), and Barood
Italy, UK, Oman and two from Qatar. Ammunition Factory, majority Judging by the capabilities on show,
owned subsidiary Qsur, as well as it is obvious that militaries the world
over are leaning towards unmanned
The DIMDEX Chairman, has BINDIG and Rheinmetall Barzan assets. Making the biggest splash
seen the biennial event grow Advanced Technologies (RBAT), its were Turkish companies, with
joint ventures with Beretta Holding,
immensely since its inception, Aselsan, Havelsan, Rokestan and
is confident that the next edition and German technology group Baykar among the companies that
Rheinmetall, respectively.
of the event, DIMDEX2026, will exhibited unmanned land, air and
be even more successful. “In naval vehicles. Baykar highlighted
2008, we started with a Barzan and its various companies the capabilities of the TB2 drone,
not only occupied pride of place at
small number of exhibi- the event venue but also cornered which has achieved legendary
status for its role in recent and
tors. We now have over most of the headlines. Rheinmetall ongoing conflicts, and its even more
200 companies at the Barzan Advanced Technologies powerful successor – the Bayraktar
event. The percentage (RBAT), which displayed count- Akinci. Havelsan brought its Sancar
er-unmanned aerial systems
of growth has been (C-UAS) as well as unmanned autonomous unmanned surface
vessel (AUSV), designed to auton-
massive compared to ground vehicles (UGVs), radars and omously perform the duties of port/
other exhibitions all jammers at the show, is currently base protection, search/rescue,
working on a C-UAS system for
over the world; we are which it had signed a contract with intelligence, reconnaissance, sur-
talking about more than the Qatar Emiri Air Force in 2023. veillance, patrol, surface warfare,
and mine countermeasures, and
a 30-40% increase in While Barzan Holdings’ Engineering the CAKA S-KUSV, a submers-
each edition. We are and Systems team displayed its ible kamikaze unmanned surface
collection of unmanned surface
confident that we are on vehicles (USV), unmanned aerial vehicle.
the right track in terms vehicles (UAV) and unmanned
of organization as well ground vehicles (UGV) integrated China’s Norinco attracted attention
with its GMR 18 Hawk UAV, GMR20
systems, BMS used the inter-
as in attracting the right nationally acclaimed platform to Vector UAV system, VU-T10
kind of exhibitors. We showcase its comprehensive main- tracked unmanned Combat vehicle
have been able to attract tenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) system and the GCR4A Swarm
UAV System. US-based GA-SI
big names and they keep services, providing optimized equip- highlighted the capabilities of the
ment, life-cycle planning, logistics
coming back because we and spare parts management to a MQ9-B SeaGuardian UAS while
provide them the right range of military platforms. Altinay Defense promoted the rotary
kind of opportunities.” wing 5.5 mm armed UAV. Dearsan
Shipyard highlighted its USV 15
As in the previous edition, Turkey, -Unmanned Surface Vehicle while
Growing Might which has a significant and grow- fellow Turkish company Robit
ing relationship with Qatar in the brought the Azab and Azat family
In keeping with its lofty international defence sector as well as in other of kamikaze UAVs to the show.
stature, DIMDEX 2024 provided spheres, had the largest contin-
visitors and participants a peek into gent of companies. Turkish major South Korean ammunition maker
Poongsan showcased the Personal
the future of maritime defence and Aselsan and Barzan Holdings
security. The event also underlined signed two memoranda of under- Combat Drone (PCD) and the
Poongsan Attack Drone with Aerial
the growing capabilities of Qatar’s standing (MoUs) at the event, ammunition (PAD)..
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