Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Milipol Qatar provided Barzan Holdings with a vital platform to showcase its innovative solutions and subsidiaries tailored to Qatar’s evolving security challenges, said Sultan Al Kuwari, programme development director of Barzan Holding.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar Tribune, Kuwari said the 15th edition of Milipol Qatar brought together security experts, industry leaders, and government officials, making it an ideal venue for Barzan Holdings to demonstrate its capabilities in integrated defence technologies.
Barzan Holdings’ participation in the expo was driven by its mission to enhance Qatar’s homeland security infrastructure and advance technological innovation within the defense sector. By presenting its latest solutions at Milipol, Barzan Holdings reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Qatar’s security through modern approaches that meet the country’s growing defence needs, he said.
He added that Barzan Holdings aims to foster collaboration with international security experts and policymakers, leveraging the diverse global attendance to explore new partnership opportunities, as Barzan built connections and strengthened its network with key stakeholders in the security arena.
"Through its presence at Milipol, Barzan Holdings underscored its dedication to shaping the future of Qatar’s defence capabilities and promoting national self-reliance in defence technologies, contributing to the country’s long-term stability and safety,” he said.
Kuwari said the company showcased its lineup of innovative products and solutions at Milipol Qatar 2024, with sections dedicated to specific capabilities, includingAutonomous Systems and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Renaissance) section, key projects from the Engineering and Systems department featured, including Talaa, C2 systems, AI applications, and the PAVO group.
He added that the company also featured two new initiatives, a call for action for engineering ideas and a call for engineers’ recruitment.
Talking about Barzan Holdings contribution to Qatar’s development, Kuwari said the company has been committed to growing defence capability and becoming a knowledge-hub, advising on key technologies and facilitating next generation development. He pointed out that the company has helped open new industries within the country, creating a host of fresh career paths and development opportunities.
"Through its portfolio of direct investments, early-stage venture capital investments, indirect investments, and joint ventures, Barzan Holdings addresses the needs of different military and security sectors, keeping Qatar at the forefront of present and future market opportunities,” he affirmed.
About Barzan Holdings’ future main aspirations, he said, "By 2025, we aim to broaden our maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) coverage for naval systems and expand land systems capabilities. We are focused on enhancing autonomous system capabilities, including unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and maritime autonomous systems. We also seek to focus on capacity-building and human development projects aimed at facilitating knowledge and technology transfer in the defence and security sectors.”
He added, "We will work towards further diversifying our portfolio to benefit Qatar through creating new technologies and IP acquisition, and a key focus on Engineering & Systems (E&S) initiatives.”
Barzan Holdings was established as a state-owned Qatari entity in 2016 as the strategic investment arm of Qatar’s Ministry of Defence and the commercial gateway for the country’s military industry.