French defense contractor Arquus has signed an agreement with Doha-based Barzan Holdings to upgrade the Qatar Armed Forces’ Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé (VAB) infantry fighting vehicles.
Under the contract, Arquus will cover modification and repairs for 54 Qatari VABs domestically and in France.
The firm will also deliver associated training for industrial and military personnel managing the upkeep and operation of the vehicles.
Arquus wrote that the initial VABs under the project are now receiving modernization work in France.
Simultaneously, a production line is being constructed at a military installation in Qatar to support this effort.
Arquus has been the prime support provider for the Qatari Armed Forces’ VABs since their arrival in the military.
The VAB is an armored system developed specifically for the French military by Arquus’ parent company, Renault. It was inducted into service in the late 1970s and was introduced to Qatar in the early 1980s.
The 6×6 wheeled system is integrated with either Renault or Caterpillar engines and can be reconfigured into an 8×8 drive system.