Arquus is proud to announce a new contract with Barzan Holdings, strengthening their industrial collaboration. At Eurosatory, Arquus welcomed Barzan Holdings on its booth to sign a contract for the modernisation of 54 VABs realised in Qatar.
The Qatar Armed Forces initially acquired VAB Mk1 vehicles in 1982, which have been supported by Arquus since then. In 2018, QAF decided to extend the life of these vehicles and signed a modernisation contract with Arquus. This vast programme includes not only the modernisation and modification of the vehicles but also their repair and the training of both industrial and military personnel in France and Qatar.
The first VABs are being modernised in France, while a production line is being established at a military base in Qatar. To-date, 126 vehicles have been successfully modernised.
Arquus is honnored to be the first French defence company to localise the production of military vehicles in Qatar, a significant achievement that is a source of pride for 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 armoured vehicles.
In the same year, a contract with Barzan Holdings was fulfilled. This contract included the training of 25 Qatari cadets in the maintenance of modernised VABs over a six-month period in France.
This training programme successfully culminated in the graduation of future maintenance officers, demonstrating Arquus’ commitment to skill development and knowledge sharing.
Arquus is a French defence company and a leader in ground mobility solutions. As a long-standing partner of the armed forces, Arquus has almost 25,000 vehicles of all types in service with the French Army, including 20,000 supported by the company. Arquus is involved in the production of the new generation of Army vehicles, the VBMR Griffon and EBRC Jaguar, produced by the temporary consortium. In particular, Arquus is responsible for supplying the drivelines and the remotely operated self-defence systems for these two vehicles. Arquus also provides all the logistics for replacement parts and units for the VBMR and EBRC vehicles under the Scorpion programme through its logistics platform at Garchizy, France.
With almost 20,000 vehicles supported on a routine basis, Arquus offers complete solutions, drawing on the company’s historic competencies. These solutions rely on an international logistics network supported by the network of the Volvo Group, of which Arquus is a member. Arquus is an innovative company, investing in major projects such as architecture, survivability, mobility, energy, robotics, fire support and support. As a complete systems integration manufacturer,
Arquus also offers remotely operated turrets (Hornet range, developed for the Scorpion programme), vetronics solutions (Battlenet) and mobility solutions (4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 chassis). Arquus exports to more than 60 countries.
Barzan Holdings is helping to revolutionize Qatar’s defense and security sector. Its focused policy on capacity and human development allows it to create lasting value in terms of knowledge advancement and financial returns for the economy.
Barzan Holdings is continually searching the globe for best-in-class operators, and promising SME partners to work together to create a tailor-made, robust defense and security industry in Qatar. Barzan Holdings’ investments have substantial impacts on people’s lives as well as on the future of the country.
