HE the Assistant Minister of State for Technical Affairs Brigadier Abdul Aziz bin Falah
al-Dossari and Thales Vice-President Pascale Sourisse shake hands after signing the contract.
QNA/Doha
Qatar Armed Forces and French Thales Group yesterday signed a contract for the execution of a ground satellites project to provide infrastructure and communication equipment to enhance the armed forces’ command and control system.
The signing ceremony, held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, was attended by HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Major General Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Qatar Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Ghanim bin Shaheen al-Ghanim.
The contract was signed by HE the Assistant Minister of State for Technical Affairs Brigadier Abdul Aziz bin Falah al-Dossari and Thales Vice-President Pascale Sourisse.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) after the signing, Brigadier al-Dossari explained that the project aims to provide the infrastructure and satellite communications equipment, top secret and high capacity gadgets to help the armed forces’ command and control system.
Brigadier al-Dossari said the signing ceremony comes as a culmination of a 16-month long procedure which included tender, quotations and field examination of major equipment.
On the project’s components, Brigadier al-Dossari said it will provide command and control centres, satellite communications stations for boats, military machinery and fixed sites, adding that it also includes training, transfer of technology, maintenance and guarantee.
Qatar’s launch of satellites through Es’hailSat and the armed forces ownership, operating and managing of the military aspect of Es’hailSat have promoted the use of communications via satellite as a secure means of communications approved by armed forces.
Responding to a question on the selection of the French Thales Group to implement the project, Brigadier al-Dossari said the company was chosen after international competition in which renowned international firms in the field of satellite took part, noting that field experiments continued for almost one year.
He added that Thales has a high experience in this field and is considered one of the biggest defence companies, particularly in electronics and communications.
Meanwhile, Thales Vice-President Pascale Sourisse said the signing of the contract is a great success for Thales and Qatar Armed Forces, adding that the company is very proud to have been awarded this responsibility which is a new sign of the confidence that Qatar Armed Forces are placing in Thales.
Co-operation between the two sides has existed for more than 30 years, Sourisse said explaining that Thales has a lot of experience in satellite ground segment solutions. “We have the right competences to deliver this system to Qatar Armed Forces and the contract is a new opportunity to pursue this fruitful co-operation,” Sourisse said.
She said Thales has been delivering very sophisticated systems for the French armed forces and also working with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
