The agreement covers procurement of the Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles, along with medium range Aster 30 Block 1 and short range VL MICA anti-aircraft missiles.

The above initiative is a result of a bilateral memorandum signed on 16th June this year in Rome, by the representatives of the Italian and Qatar Ministries of Defence.

All of the ordered missiles are going to be integrated with seven new vessels which are going to be built for the Qatar Navy by the Italian Fincantieri shipbuilding company. The cost of the vessels is said to be contained in an amount of USD 4.4 billion. The vessels are to include four corvettes, two sea-going patrol ship and a single dock landing ship.