Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) inaugurated a new coastal anti-ship missile system at the new Al-Houl Naval Base. It provided no further details but released a short video clip showing components for the MBDA Exocet and Marte ER coastal anti-ship missile systems lined up at the base for the event, according to the open-source intelligence company Janes. The MBDA announced during the DIMDEX show held in Doha in March 2016 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Qatar that would pave the way for a EUR640 million (USD678.34 million) contract to supply the QENF with a coastal defence system with both the Exocet MM40 Block 3 and smaller Marte ER anti-ship missiles.
The Exocet is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The relatively compact missile is designed for attacking small- to medium-size warships, although multiple hits are effective against larger vessels, such as aircraft carriers. It is guided inertially in mid-flight and turns on active radar homing late in its flight to find and hit its target. Its rocket motor, which is fuelled by solid propellant, gives the Exocet a maximum range of 70 kilometres (43 mi; 38 nmi). It was replaced on the MM40 Block 3 ship-launched version of the missile with a solid-propellant booster and a turbojet sustainer engine which extends the range of the missile to more than 180 kilometres (110 mi; 97 nmi).
Marte is an Italian anti-ship missile family. Marte is a sea skimming, subsonic, anti-ship missile, it carries a 70 kilograms (150 lb) semi-armour piercing warhead. It has been built in several versions, with differing guidance systems, and is suitable for launching from ships or aircraft. Marte ER is a sea-skimming, high subsonic anti-ship and land attack missile. Turbojet engine Williams WR WJ-24-8G extends range to over 100 km, total weight of 340 kilograms, first tested in 9 November 2018. The missile is fire-and-forget capable and designed to operates in all weather conditions. Mobile Coastal Defence System (MCDS) has the capability to launch both Marte MK2/N and / or Marte ER missile. The system needs midcourse guidance to use the maximum range of Marte ER.
Article by militaryleak.com
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