Nexter Group announces new VBCI evaluation campaign by Qatari forces
On 7 December, a letter of intent (LoI) was signed for the acquisition of 490 VBCI by Qatari forces, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, as well as the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Minister of Armies, alongside their Qataris counterparts, Nasser Hassan AL-Noaimi, Chief of Investment Office at the Qatari Ministry of Defense, and Stéphane Mayer, Nexter Chairman and CEO.
This LoI marks Qatar’s choice of Nexter’s vehicle for the country’s Armored Infantry Combat 8×8 Vehicle programme. Fire trials were carried out, a few days before the signing, in different weapon system configurations, e.g. a 40mm turret equipped with a 40CTA telescopic gun.
Stéphane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of Nexter, said he was, “proud of the confidence of the Qatari Armed Forces and committed, as well as the entire Group, to finalize the contract in the near future.”
DPM