European missile maker MBDA has signed a contract with Qatar to supply coastal defense system for the peninsular country.
European missile maker MBDA has signed a contract with Qatar to supply coastal defense system for the peninsular country.
The MBDA Mobile Coastal Defense System will use the Marte ER and Exocet MM40 Block 3 missiles to engage hostile ships and will be operated by Qatari Emiri Naval Forces (QENF).
The system was first unveiled during the 2014 DIMDEX exhibition in Doha, Qatar.
The MCDS will be able to work in autonomous mode with its own radar, or alternatively by data-linking to a higher level within a wider coastal surveillance network.
The contract will involve partnership between Qatar, Italy and France.
The French built Exocet is a famous anti-ship missile which have versions capable of being launched from aircraft, submarine and ship. The Block 3 variant of the sea skimming missile is powered by a turbojet engine and can engage targets at a range of up to 180 km.
The Italian built Marte ER is a multi-platform fire and forget anti ship missile and have range of more than 30 km to engage fast moving targets.
