ARQUUS Joins Forces with Barzan Holdings to Revolutionize Qatar’s Defense with 54 VAB Transformations
Arquus is thrilled to announce a new alliance with Barzan Holdings, boosting our industrial collaboration.
During Eurosatory, Arquus is excited to host Barzan Holdings at our booth to finalize a contract for the enhancement of 54 VABs being carried out in Qatar.
The Qatar Armed Forces initially acquired VAB Mk1 vehicles in 1982, which have received continuous assistance from Arquus ever since. In 2018, QAF decided to extend the operational life of these vehicles and initiated a modernization pact with Arquus. This comprehensive program includes not just the enhancement and modification of the vehicles but also their refurbishment and the training of both industrial and military personnel in France and Qatar.
The first VABs are presently undergoing upgrades in France, while a manufacturing facility is being established at a military location in Qatar. To date, 126 vehicles have been successfully modernized.
Arquus takes great pride in being the inaugural French defense manufacturer to localize the assembly of military vehicles in Qatar, marking a significant achievement that brings pride to both Arquus and the Qatari armed forces.
In July 2023, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, visited the VAB assembly line in Qatar, highlighting the potential for local production of armored vehicles.
Within the same year, a contract with Barzan Holdings was successfully fulfilled. This agreement provided training for 25 Qatari cadets on the maintenance of modernized VABs over a six-month period in France.
This training program successfully concluded with the graduation of emerging maintenance officers, highlighting Arquus’ commitment to skill development and knowledge transfer.
