‘Kuwait eager to develop maritime defense’

Doha exhibition showcases latest equipment, well-developed ships

DOHA, March 31, (KUNA): The visiting Kuwait’s Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mohammad Al-Khoder affirmed that Kuwait is following up on latest technologies in security and defense systems.

On the sidelines of the Doha international Maritime Defence Exhibition And Conference (DIMDEX 2016) on Wednesday, Al-Khoder told KUNA that Kuwait is eager to benefit from the event to develop the abilities of its defense forces.

He noted that the exhibition involves countries with a high level of expertise in maritime defense industries, showcasing latest equipment and well-developed ships in the field.

Meanwhile, Qatar signed on Wednesday 10 memoranda of understanding (MoU) with some international companies for arming and developing its armed forces.

The memos were inked on the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition Conference (DIMDEX 2016) currently held in the Qatari capital.

A memorandum of understanding was signed to buy “coastal batteries” defense system between Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and European MBDA company with value of QR 2.64 billion, said Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Another MoU for a project to manufacture and produce ‘Q01-100’ aircrafts was also signed between the steering committee of drone project and German company Reiner Stemme Utility Air-Systems GmbH with value of QR 365.4 million, the agency added.

A third memo was signed for the purchase of “Exocet” missile range between Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and the European MBDA company amounting to QR 240 million.

A memorandum of understanding for a project to buy radars “Search Master” between the steering committee of drone project and French “Thales” company for QR60.896 million was also inked.

The Qatari Emiri Naval Forces and Germen “MTU” also signed a memorandum of understanding amounting to QR95 million for the “Umrah” project for boats engines.