QinetiQ

Last updated 26 October 2022

QinetiQ is the 6th largest UK-headquartered arms and military services company, and the 80th largest in the world, with arms sales of $1,240 million in 2020, 76% of its total sales. It states that it is “a leading science and engineering company operating primarily in the defence and security markets.”

Much of the company’s work involves research & development, testing & evaluation, and training, as well as military information systems, target systems, and cyber security. It also manufactures military products including a wide range of military robots and unmanned systems for land and sea, with varying size and purposes, including armed robots.

Another substantial focus is that of combat aircraft. Its 2019 annual report lists:

  • “supported the RAF to transfer and enhance weapons capabilities across to Typhoon”
  • “we have provided the environment to test the F-35s weapons systems”
  • an essential role in Tempest, “the Future Combat Air System, a stealth fighter that will replace current aircraft in 15-20 years”.

QDM

QinetiQ formed a joint venture – QDM – with Saudi company Dar Massader in 2018, described as “bringing cutting edge technology and capability to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and developing the local capability”

At the DSEI arms fair in 2019, QDM and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate to develop Saudi arms testing and evaluation capabilities.

However, as of October 2022, although QinetiQ’s 2021/22 annual report states that QinetiQ own 49% of the QDM, there is no other mention of the joint venture in the report, or on the QinetiQ website. The QDM website has also disappeared, and a Google search produces few traces of the company online, although it is mentioned on the Dar Massader website.

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