Barzan Holdings, which is owned by the State of Qatar, is clear about its intention. “We aim to grow into a major player in the global defence market,” says Sultan Ibrahim Al-Kuwari, Programme Development Director at Barzan Holdings, in an...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
Barzan Holdings, which is owned by the State of Qatar, is clear about its intention.
“We aim to grow into a major player in the global defence market,” says Sultan Ibrahim Al-Kuwari, Programme Development Director at Barzan Holdings, in an interview on the sidelines of ADEX2024. “Our vision is to continue strengthening the businesses and partnerships, and expanding our programs and projects, through cooperation with partners at the local and international levels,” he says.
Excerpts from the interview:
Barzan is making its first appearance at ADEX. What brings you here?
We have an investment here in Azerbaijan and we have a company called QSTP, which is an investment by us and other shareholders and this shows our commitment to the other bigger markets. We are working to create new technologies to meet the growing needs of the armed forces and address the emerging challenges facing the defence sector.
How far has Barzan Holdings come in empowering the military capabilities of Qatar as well as other militaries in the region?
Barzan Holdings was officially established in 2016, and was entrusted with the task of supporting the long-term development of human capital and the armed forces, through global partnerships that promote research and development, and investment in the development of innovative technologies.
Though we were to serve the Qatar armed forces specifically, we were able to serve other security agencies within the country as well as reaching out to the different international defence markets, where we have invested in companies in Europe and Turkey and Asia.
Since then, the company has proven its importance as a knowledge center and a genuine contributor to the development of the new generation of defence industry technologies, through its global projects and subsidiaries, and benefiting from the distinguished expertise in the fields of air, maritime and land security, cybersecurity, training and consulting, and combat systems to meet the requirements of the security and military sectors.
What are the main areas that Barzan Holdings is focusing on right now?
So, basically we have these themes such as ammunitions and small arms. Under the theme, we have many products and products from different companies. The second theme is basically the technological team where we are developing indigenous solutions to counter drones, for example. And the unmanned capabilities are our main focus as a company. Our focus for the next five years is to ensure capability and sustainability for our platforms.
So how important is it for Barzan to explore international market?
It is very important because we are trying to build relationships and try to build a reputation across the region. So as I said, since the beginning, we were able to penetrate different markets through selling or investing or collaborating with others. International partnerships play an influential and essential role in achieving the company's overall mission and goals, which also help in enhancing the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.
So basically what we do as a company, we don't reinvent the wheel. We go and finish what others have started. This is why we can invest in certain items of technologies to produce certain things that are unavailable in the market and we are kind of driven by the requirements of the end user. However, we are trying to commercialise any service or product that we may come up with to help international clients.
And what are the challenges and how do you face the competition, especially in your region.?
We believe it's healthy competition because without competition we cannot be better. We know it's a kind of mature market. There are couple of players or main players. However, we are focusing on certain demands, such as unmanned systems. Investments are already been made in platforms like unmanned vehicles, counter-UAS solutions, command and control systems and ammunition. By producing such items, I think we will have the competitive edge in the market. And being a neutral country, with a neutral relationship with the whole world in general, gives us an advantage.
So how do you balance this requirement of the local domestic market as well as the international market?
While export is one of our priorities, the main goal of building the defence field is to meet the local requirement. Sustainability of companies requires working on the concept of export, which represents one of our main goals… and we aspire to achieve it, whether at the regional or international level. Our government supports investments in the human cadre by attracting local and foreign minds, and cooperation with international companies. Cooperation with many leading companies in the fields of defence and security enables the State of Qatar to obtain the most innovative technologies and develop them, and create the best practices to ensure self-sufficiency in protecting the country's land and people, and open the door to finding new and abundant sources of income for the country.
What is your unique selling proposition or USP?
I think the uniqueness comes from agility. By having this, you will have access to certain technology.
What is the current market situation and the way forward for you?
As you know, the defence sector in general is moving because of conflicts, specially in Ukraine. This creates a lot of opportunities and along with opportunities come challenges. Currently, I think most of the countries are facing such challenges. I think the market situation is booming. Everyone now has an opportunity to prove their accessibility to different areas.
French water treatment company BIO-UV Group has dispatched a second BIO-SEA ballast water treatment system to the United States for…
Neutral Air Partner (NAP) has introduced NAPAY, a payment solution designed for its network members. The system was developed in…
DHL Group is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) logistics and supply chain solutions in the Asia Pacific region with the…
Air Astana will introduce a direct flight between Almaty and Da Nang, Vietnam, starting on 4th June 2025. The service…
Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has handed over 700 Maung MV3 special vehicles, produced by PT Pindad, to the Indonesian…
Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has handed over 700 Maung MV3 special vehicles, produced by PT Pindad, to the Indonesian…
AARONIA AG presented its latest advancements in drone detection and electronic warfare at Enforce Tac 2025, held in Nuremberg from…
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with…
The Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo (BAAFEx) is set to hold its inaugural edition from 4–6 March at Singapore’s…
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Dassault Aviation have inaugurated the Dassault Aviation-PTDI Design Office on the fourth floor of PTDI’s…
L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI will collaborate on a demonstration to enable an electronic warfare (EW) operation with AI-enabled unmanned…
The Spanish Air and Space Force has said that it sees, the 'Hürjet' training aircraft as well positioned to replace…
Total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 10.0% in January this year compared to the same…
Pratt & Whitney's GTF Advantage engine has achieved U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Airbus A320neo family.…
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) will receive the two first Boeing KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft in 2026 . The other…
Israel Shipyards has begun the construction of the first of five Reshef class warships for the Israeli Navy. The 2.8…
Russia has accelerated efforts to incorportate laser technology to some of its operational air defence systems. As part of continuous…
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems on Thursday announced an approximate 50/50 partnership for the establishment…
Defence trade fair Euro Defence Expo (EUDEX) and the annual conference of the NATO Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC)…
Ramco Systems, a global aviation software provider has announced the successful implementation of its Aviation Software at Philippine Airlines for…
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence has announced that Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian, currently Commander, 3rd Singapore Division will take over from…
Lockheed Martin has showcased a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution in a recent field demonstration, highlighting its ability to…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut / TNI AL) has launched the service's second Bung Karno-class corvette, KRI Bung Hatta…
ASELSAN recorded revenues of 120 billion TL (over 3.2 billion USD) in 2024, marking a 13% increase from the previous…
ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group have initiated a codeshare agreement, linking their route networks for the first time. This arrangement…
Chemring has provided a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting, reporting a record order book of £1.35 billion…
TransNusa is set to become the first Indonesian airline to operate scheduled flights between Bali and Guangzhou. The airline will…
ANA Holdings and CFM International have announced an order for more than 75 LEAP engines, including both installed and spares.…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently demonstrated the first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on an MQ-9B SeaGuardian. In a…
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded the third phase of the Naval Force IP Network (RIFAN 3) contract…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.