In a strategic move to enhance its domestic defense capabilities, Qatar’s state-owned Barzan Holdings unveiled over a dozen advanced defense platforms at the Milipol 2026 exhibition in Doha.
The newly introduced systems encompass a range of technologies, including first-person-view (FPV) drones, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, and electronic warfare platforms.
“This achievement highlights our commitment to strengthening Qatar’s defense and security infrastructure in response to regional challenges,” the company stated.
Barzan showcased several FPV and VTOL drones for the first time, featuring:
- FPV Drone-15 inch: A tactical reconnaissance quadcopter with a payload capacity of up to 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds), a range of 20 kilometers, and an endurance of up to 20 minutes.
- FPV Drone-10 inch: A tactical reconnaissance quadcopter capable of carrying up to 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds), with a range of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) and an endurance of 12 minutes at full payload.
- FPV Drone-7 inch: A rapid-deployment quadcopter with a payload capacity of 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds), a range of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), and an endurance of up to 15 minutes.
- H Silent ISR Quadcopter: A multirotor drone equipped with an electro-optical and infrared gimbal, offering an endurance of up to 40 minutes and a datalink range of 40 kilometers (24.8 miles). It is designed for surveillance, border security, and critical infrastructure protection.
- ISR VTOL-400: A vertical take-off and landing UAV with a 4-kilogram (8.8 pounds) payload capacity, datalink range of 40 kilometers (24.8 miles), maximum operating altitude of 10,000 feet, and speed of 110 kilometers per hour (68.3 miles per hour).
During the exhibition, Barzan also presented two unmanned surface vessels. The Rasid USV is an unmanned jet ski-style craft optimized for surveillance missions, while the Barzan Conversion Solution is a coast guard vessel that can operate in both manned and unmanned modes.
In the communications domain, Barzan introduced Secure Comms VPN and Secure Comms CHAT, solutions aimed at facilitating secure communications and safeguarding user privacy.
These advancements underscore Qatar’s initiative to grow its defense industry under the “Made in Qatar” program, particularly as Doha intensifies efforts to protect critical infrastructure and address aerial threats. This context follows Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf states, with Qatar being the only Gulf state affected by an Israeli raid in September 2025.
Additionally, Barzan announced a joint venture with Ukrainian firm Carmine Sky to develop a layered “Full-Cycle Air Defence” capability, designed to meet sovereign security needs and protect critical assets.
The partnership will leverage Ukraine’s expertise to create an integrated air defense architecture, combining detection, identification, and neutralization functions. The system is expected to counter a spectrum of UAVs, from FPV drones to jet-powered models, and will incorporate radar, radio-frequency sensors, electronic warfare systems, and hard-kill platforms.