Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed a memorandum of understanding to support the military training of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF).
The agreement opens potential contracts that will provide “cutting-edge education and training patterns” for Doha’s warfighters.
Future discussions are expected to examine possible content and modalities to enhance associated competency programs.
Fincantieri wrote that these training frameworks will see the “continuous growth” of the QENF and amplify interoperability between the service’s terrestrial and aerial capabilities.
Alongside Doha’s military assets, the upcoming courses will prepare Qatari sailors to cooperate with allied navies.
‘Sustaining Warfighter ‘Refreshment’
According to the Trieste-based company, the memorandum builds on the company’s ongoing strategic partnership with Qatar to modernize the country’s naval fleet.
The government awarded Fincantieri a 4 billion euro ($4.4 billion) contract in 2016 for seven ships, including four corvettes, two patrol boats, and a single amphibious platform.
Alongside corresponding technical and logistics work, this project ordered training for operations, maintenance, and language to support personnel on each vessel.
The Italian firm has already supplied six systems and associated training under the contract for the QENF. The final corvette was handed over to the navy in May 2023.
“Following up the training paths already effectively carried out in Italy by Fincantieri, with focus on the operation of the Italian Combat System on board the vessels and consistent with the training tools already delivered, the QENF is interested in implementing the education & training programs… with a continuous refreshment,” Fincantieri said.