Mike Duckworth, Vice President Business Development, MENA Market, KNDS, spoke to Business Leaders on the sidelines of DIMDEX 2026 about the company’s long-standing relationship with Qatar, its defence offerings, the role of advanced technology in modern land systems, and the strategic roadmap ahead.
At DIMDEX 2026, KNDS presented more than products. It presented the continuity of a relationship built over years of engagement with the Qatari Armed Forces, grounded in operational trust, long-term cooperation, and a shared understanding of evolving defence requirements.
For Mike Duckworth, Vice President, Business Development, MENA Market at KNDS, the company’s presence at DIMDEX reflected a story of partnership rather than a single exhibition appearance. From the first edition of the event to its current ninth edition, DIMDEX has mirrored the growth of KNDS’ ties with Qatar and the broader evolution of defence priorities in the region.
“What began as a primarily naval exhibition gradually expanded, and today more than half of the activity centres on land defence capabilities,” Duckworth said. “This shift reflects the changing nature of modern defence needs and aligns closely with KNDS’ core areas of expertise, from armoured vehicles to integrated advanced systems to support Qatar Armed Forces.”
While Qatar remained a strategic anchor for KNDS, DIMDEX had also developed into a wider international platform. Its expanding global participation created opportunities for dialogue with defence stakeholders from around the world, allowing KNDS to use its experience in Qatar as a strong reference point for engagement with new customers.
Technology at the Core of Modern Defence Solutions
KNDS, formed through the amalgamation of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann of Germany and Nexter of France, continued to focus on advanced land defence systems designed to meet the realities of modern warfare.
Duckworth explained that technology remained central to KNDS’ product profile. The company consistently leveraged innovation to develop solutions that improved battlefield performance, enhanced operational efficiency, and strengthened reliability.
Among the advanced technologies integrated into KNDS products were:
- Modular armoured vehicle design, enabling rapid adaptation to different missions and operational requirements
- Networked communication systems, allowing secure real-time information sharing across units
- Advanced ammunition and weapon systems, delivering precision, versatility, and effectiveness in modern operations
These capabilities helped position KNDS products among the market leaders in their category, particularly as armed forces increasingly sought flexible, connected, and mission-ready solutions.
Combat-Proven Ammunition and Operational Effectiveness
Discussing the company’s ammunition capabilities, Duckworth said KNDS Ammo combined decades of experience with modern technology to produce munitions that were precise, reliable, and capable of performing under demanding operational conditions.
“In general, KNDS Ammo integrates decades of experience with modern technology to produce munitions that are precise, reliable, and capable of performing under challenging operational conditions,” he said. “The most important point is that the solutions it provides focus on effectiveness, precision, and adaptability, drawing on operational feedback and long-standing cooperation with armed forces.”
That approach, he added, enabled KNDS Ammo to deliver munitions suited to modern battlefield requirements while maintaining robustness under pressure.
Among its major developments was the 120 mm SHARD round — a solution for hardened armour defeat — which drew on KNDS’ expertise in tank firepower functions and its long-standing cooperation with Qatari forces since the AMX-30 era. The SHARD round benefited from a latest-generation optimised sabot that reduced barrel wear during firing. Its performance had been successfully validated during trials on both the Leclerc and Leopard 2 tank guns.
In the large-calibre segment, KNDS Ammo’s 155 mm munitions had proven themselves across a wide range of conflicts, demonstrating the ability to engage a broad spectrum of targets under highly demanding operational conditions.
Building on this expertise, KNDS Ammo also developed the LU 211 family of rounds, offering a full spectrum of battlefield effects. Its high-explosive rounds had already demonstrated their effectiveness in high-intensity theatres of operation.
The company was also advancing the future of precision artillery munitions through the BONUS round, equipped with two autonomous target-acquisition anti-armour shaped charges. Already proven effective in Ukraine, the BONUS round was designed for maximum lethality and precision, able to detect, identify, and neutralise enemy armoured vehicles in true fire-and-forget mode.
DIMDEX and Strategic Cooperation with Barzan Holdings
One of the important milestones for KNDS during DIMDEX 2026 was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Barzan Holdings, reflecting the depth of the existing relationship and a shared strategic direction.
According to Duckworth, the agreement set a framework for exploring localisation opportunities in ammunition manufacturing, with the goal of meeting operational requirements while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance.
The LoI highlighted the shared intention of both parties to develop local industrial capabilities, support Qatar’s national defence objectives, and strengthen a resilient regional supply chain. It was also rooted in commitments to technology transfer, industrial excellence, and a long-term partnership model.
Defence, Deterrence and the Roadmap Ahead
In a world where the long-term goal should be deterrence rather than conflict, Duckworth said KNDS remained focused on enabling nations to strengthen their defensive posture responsibly.
“KNDS focuses on providing armed forces with flexible, modern, and reliable solutions that support operational readiness while enabling nations to strengthen their defensive posture responsibly,” he said.
Looking ahead, the company intended to continue investing in innovation, collaboration, and long-term partnerships that could contribute to both regional and global stability.
That vision aligned with the increasingly strategic role that advanced land systems, precision munitions, and industrial cooperation now played in defence planning. For KNDS, the objective was not only to respond to current operational needs, but also to help shape a more resilient and technologically capable future for partner nations.
A Strategic Anchor in Qatar
For KNDS, Qatar remained a particularly important partner in the region. The country’s defence modernisation priorities, combined with its strategic focus on capability development and localisation, made it a significant market and a meaningful long-term reference.
As Duckworth noted, DIMDEX had grown into far more than a regional event. It had become a global meeting point — and for KNDS, a platform that demonstrated how trusted partnerships in Qatar could translate into wider international engagement.
“While Qatar remains a strategic anchor for KNDS, the exhibition has also grown into a global meeting hub. Its increasing international participation has opened the door to new dialogues with defence stakeholders worldwide, allowing KNDS to leverage its experience in Qatar as a reference for engagement with new customers.”
