Jane Edwards
Thales and Qatar have signed a a memorandum of understanding for the supply of Thales’ aerial surveillance radar to Qatar’s armed forces.
The company said Thursday it will equip Qatar’s Optionally Piloted Vehicles-Aircraft with the Searchmaster radar designed for naval and ground-based surveillance missions.
Gen. Khalid Ahmad Al-Kuwari of Qatar’s armed forces said the partnership with Thales will help the country’s service branch further support its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements.
The Searchmaster radar has an active electronically scanned array antenna and works to perform anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, maritime surveillance, and tactical air support functions.
Thales’ radar offering can also be integrated with turboprop-powered aircraft, helicopters and medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles.
Thales and Qatar’s military branch signed the MOU at the three-day Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference that kicked off Tuesday in Qatar.
