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Turkish defense contractor Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) and Qatar-based Barzan Holding signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday establishing a joint venture for defense industry cooperation, marking the first international sale of MKE's Tolga Short-Range Air Defense System.
The agreement was signed during the DIMDEX Defense Industry Fair in Qatar's capital and builds on a comprehensive cooperation protocol signed between the parties the previous year.
"We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BARZAN Holdings, which belongs to Qatar's Ministry of Defense," MKE stated in an official announcement.
"The establishment of a joint venture with BARZAN Holdings, provision of explosive production capability to Qatar through the partnership to be established, and the sale of our high-tech product MKE Tolga Short-Range Air Defense System for entry into Qatar inventory were included as main points."
The signing ceremony was attended by Turkish Deputy Minister of National Defense Musa Heybet, Presidential Defense Industries Directorate Chairman Haluk Gorgun, and Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani.
MKE General Manager Ilhami Keles and Barzan Holding CEO Mohammed Bin Bader Al Sadah signed the memorandum.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, a new company will be established in Qatar through the MKE and Barzan Holding partnership. The partnership aims to transform the cooperation between the two countries' defense sectors into a sustainable structure.
"Joint venture to be established in Qatar between parties," MKE stated regarding the agreement scope.
According to the agreement, Qatar will receive an explosive production capability through the partnership. The technology transfer represents a key component of the joint venture's purpose.
"Provision of explosive production capability to Qatar through the partnership to be established" is among the main points of the memorandum, MKE stated.
The high-technology Tolga Short-Range Air Defense System will enter Qatar's military inventory through the agreement, marking the system's first international sale.
"The sale of our high-tech product MKE Tolga Short-Range Air Defense System for entry into Qatar inventory" was included as a main point of the memorandum, according to MKE's statement.
The Tolga system was developed by MKE engineers with an "Effective-Simple-Economical" vision. The system addresses threats from mini and micro unmanned aerial vehicles, tactical drones, smart munitions and cruise missiles.
The Tolga system integrates with radar and jammer systems to protect critical facilities, including refineries, airports, military bases and ports. The system can also provide security for naval platforms and mobile convoys.
MKE developed specialized particulate anti-drone ammunition specifically for the system. According to the report, the ammunition "creates optimized 'metal cloud' around target, neutralizing threats."
"This technology, developed with domestic and national resources, carries the characteristic of being a strong player in the international market with its cost-effective solution," MKE stated regarding the specialized munition technology.
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