Italian firm Fincantieri has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatari Barzan Holdings to jointly develop a short-range anti-drone radar.

Dubbed “Omega360,” the program is part of broader strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The deal is valued at 100 million euros ($108 million), with the first units expected to be produced by the end of 2026.

This follows a meeting in Rome between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, where they discussed security and defense partnerships.

In a joint statement, the two leaders said they are “continuing the discussion on the establishment of an Italian military logistics hub in Qatar and promoting the coordination of exports in the region.”

Omega360 Radar

The Omega360 is a short-range surveillance system that provides 360-degree coverage with high precision.

It is capable of classifying and identifying drone targets based on their radio frequencies, detecting them from long distances, even when approaching from multiple directions.

These capabilities are enabled by its high-resolution Doppler radar and advanced AI algorithms.

The 40 Omega360 radars to be developed through this program will serve as Qatar’s national anti-drone system.

Fincantieri’s Presence in Qatar

In 2016, Doha awarded Fincantieri a 4-billion-euro ($4.4 billion) contract for seven vessels: four corvettes, two patrol boats, and one amphibious platform.

That same year, the Italian company established Fincantieri Services Middle East, a wholly-owned subsidiary licensed by the Qatar Financial Centre.

The subsidiary serves as a support hub for the vessels’ construction and will remain active in the Gulf country for an additional 15 years after delivery.

In March, Fincantieri and the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces signed an agreement in Doha for the provision of cutting-edge education and training courses for Qatar Navy personnel.