The localisation plan that is a key element of KNDS company Nexter’s VBCI 8×8 proposal to the Qatar Armed Forces will ensure the country’s sovereign operational capability and generate future business opportunities, says Damien Bury, regional director Middle East for KNDS France.
“We are proposing the localisation of the VBCI final assembly, a maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for the VBCI local support, and a large range of localised ammunition production. This will help Qatar’s sovereignty and also generate a direct benefit in terms of employment and the development of in-country human skills that will ensure the operational effectiveness of the VBCI fleet over its operational life.”
KNDS France is a long-term partner of the Qatar Armed Forces, said Bury. “QELF are equipped since decades with AMX 30 and AMX 10 P. The company is actively developing and strengthening its partnership with the Qatar armed forces by proposing the VBCI to QELF.”
Discussions are ongoing with at least two European countries about the IFV variant of the VBCI MkII featuring the unmanned 40mm CTA turret, Bury added. The IFV version can carry a full combat squad. The chassis combines a STANAG level 4 modular protection (level 5 in option) and a very high tactical, operational and strategic mobility provided by the VBCI’s 8-wheel drive and self-steering rear axle, its 1000 km range, and its capacity to be air transported.
The company is now developing two types of remotely operated ammunition. “The conflict in Ukraine demonstrates the importance of main battle tanks and artillery on the battlefield,” said Bury. “France is supplying Ukraine with the Caesar howitzer, demonstrating its perfect adaptation to a high-intensity conflict. The relevance of this system is encouraging some countries to renew their artillery capacities. The Ukrainian conflict also demonstrates the strategic importance of drones: we are currently developing two types of remotely operated ammunition, and we will be able to present a first demonstrator in few weeks. On the other hand, being able to make counter-UAV is another lesson learned: the T40 turret we propose on the VBCI has a 60° elevation site of the cannon and can treat different target with the specific anti-aerial airburst ammunition, developed by Nexter.
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