French defense contractor Nexter has offered its latest VBCI infantry fighting vehicle to Qatar for its military modernization beyond 2030.
The announcement referred to possible contracts for VBCI II, an upgraded version of the company’s armored combat system specifically made for the French armed forces.
Alongside future deliveries, Nexter opened potential discussions for the vehicle’s final assembly line, associated maintenance and support services, as well as the manufacturing of “a large range of ammunition” in Qatar “to benefit the government’s sovereignty.”
“Nexter, a company of KNDS, has a long history of partnership in the field of armoured vehicles such as the AMX 30 with the Qatar Armed Forces,” the firm said.
“Today, we propose to renew this partnership with a state-of-the-art 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle, thanks to the benefit of years of successful evaluation in Qatar, and the lessons learned by the French Army.”
The VBCI
The VBCI II incorporates a new T40 turret system that fires an Akeron fifth-generation anti-tank guided missile.
It is also equipped with a 40-millimeter cased-telescoped ammunition gun to penetrate armored vehicles, including main battle tanks and other infantry fighting vehicles, up to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) away.
Earlier VBCI iterations measure 7.6 meters (24.9 feet) and can carry up to 11 personnel.
They are powered by Renault diesel engines with 550 horsepower for an operational range of 750 kilometers (470 miles) and a top speed of 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour.
Nexter wrote that initial VBCI batches have proven effective for over a decade since their induction. The fleet has been deployed for war in Afghanistan and the conflict in Mali alongside international allies.
Nexter-Qatar Partnership
Nexter’s recent statement followed Doha’s advisory to procure almost 500 VBCI units from France in 2017.
International partners bid on the vehicle’s turret system after the reveal. Norwegian defense company Kongsberg won an unmanned medium-caliber and weapons stations contract for future Qatari VBCIs the following year.
