Nexter Group announced the success of the new VBCI evaluation campaign by Qatari forces. It has demonstrated once again all the performances of the vehicle. The shots, carried out in different weapon system configurations, highlighted the performances and ergonomic qualities of the 40mm turret equipped with the 40CTA telescopic gun.

This is another important step towards signing the contract for the supply of VBCI combat platforms in Qatar.

This campaign began a few days before the signing, on 07 December 2017, of the Letter of Intent for the acquisition of 490 VBCI. 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, Chairman and CEO, have indeed co-signed this letter which marks the choice of Qatar in favor of Nexter for its Armored Infantry Combat 8x8 Vehicle program.

This signature is an export recognition of Nexter Group’s know-how and quality of products and represents a major step forward in our commercial action witch begun several years ago with a target date of 2018.

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.”

Nexter, the leading French land defense company and third European player in the ammunition sector is part of the KNDS Group. It is dedicated to meet the needs of the French land forces and of Nations on an international scale.

The scope of Nexter’s business includes the supply of weapon systems and ammunition for air and naval forces. Nexter also provides systems and protection solutions in the field of homeland security. The group continues to apply its international development policy with 60% of the order intake in 2016 intended for the export market.

In France, Nexter is fully committed to meeting the objectives of the SCORPION program, through the renovation of the Leclerc tank and the development of the future VBMR and EBRC vehicles within the GME (temporary business venture between Nexter, Thales and Renault Trucks Defense).

Nexter’s 2016 turnover amounted to €866 million, of which 19% is allocated to Research and Development activities.

The group’s range of products includes ARAVIS®, TITUS® and VBCI armored vehicles, CAESAR®, TRAJAN® and 105LG1 artillery systems, smart ammunition (BONUS), as well as customer service and support.