Advanced naval capabilities headline Leonardo’s attendance at DIMDEX 2018.

At the 10th edition of DIMDEX (Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference) from the 12th to the 14th March, Leonardo will be demonstrating its state-of-the-art capabilities in defence, security and aerospace, showcasing a number of key products and systems that could help secure Qatar and the surrounding region. This includes the protection of civil infrastructure such as airports, ports, sports stadia and oil and gas platforms. Leonardo’s focus will be on its range of naval capabilities, ranging from turn-key combat management systems for maritime surveillance and security, for all classes of military vessels, to naval guns, ammunition and underwater systems. Notably, the new Marlin 40mm small calibre naval gun, which provides a superior level of performance in the most challenging environments, will make its first ever appearance at the show.

The Leonardo's booth at DIMDEX 2018 (Credit Leonardo)

At DIMDEX, Leonardo will be building on a solid foundation of over 20 years of partnership with Qatar, which began with the company providing Doha Airport with its air traffic control radars, control centre and main systems. Leonardo also has a significant presence in Qatar in the helicopters domain: to-date 21 latestgeneration AW139s have been ordered for military and public service applications while, in the commercial market, service-provider Gulf Helicopters operates a fleet of AW139s and AW189s for offshore transport missions. In addition, Leonardo is strongly positioned in the Gulf’s commercial and military helicopter markets and sees significant opportunities for various helicopter types, including the NH90 multi-role military helicopter which is on show in Doha. Another significant project that has recently strengthened the Company’s relations with Qatar is the low level air surveillance and defence system provided to safeguard the Country’s airspace, with potential further deals to follow.

During the show, the ‘ITS Carlo Margottini’ European Multi-Mission Frigate (FREMM), which is currently involved in a campaign in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Gulf to reinforce local cooperation, will dock at Hamad port. Equipped with systems designed, produced and integrated by Leonardo, Margottini is the third of the ten FREMM-class ships which currently form the backbone of the Italian Navy. The frigate also has the NH90 NFH multi-role helicopter on-board, with avionics and mission equipment for naval operations produced by Leonardo. Leonardo’s avionics on display at DIMDEX will include advanced ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) capabilities and products including readily-exportable E-scan airborne radars, a Directed Infra-Red Counter-Measure (DIRCM) and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment. Of note is Leonardo’s significant contribution to both the airframe and the avionics of the Eurofighter Typhoon, 24 of which were ordered by Qatar at the end of 2017.

DIMDEX is also an important showcase for MBDA - the missile consortium comprising Leonardo, Airbus and BAE Systems - that has worked with Qatar for a number of years and is currently supplying a new coastal defence system for the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces as well as missiles for the new vessels procured by the Country.

The NH90 NFH multi-role helicopter (Credit Leonardo)