Qatar Coast Guard patrol boats to feature Kelvin’s SharpEye radar

Kelvin Hughes, a manufacturer of maritime navigation, surveillance and security radar systems, is to supply its SharpEye S-band radar along with its new 12kW radar for Qatar’s Coast and Borders Security Department 17 patrol boats.

These Hercules series boats, which include 24m, 34.5m and 48m versions, are being built at ARES Shipyard, Turkey.

The electronic equipment for the vessels will be supplied by Turkish-based company Elektro Deniz, which has contracted Kelvin Hughes to provide the radar systems.

Kelvin Hughes regional sales manager for Turkey Barry Jones said: "This important new contract win in Turkey from ARES Shipyard is a reflection of the growing interest we are continuing to see in SharpEye from all of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

"In part this is due to a strategic decision to adopt a convergent approach to that of the Royal Navy whose ships, submarines and shore facilities are all now being re-equipped with SharpEye radar technology."

Kelvin Hughes SharpEye S-band will be used for surface search and the 12kW radar for navigation.

The installation of this equipment is expected to begin this May and will continue over the next two years.

SharpEye provides maritime situational awareness with its advanced target detection capability.

It is already in service with other navies including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Irish Naval Service, the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy.