Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa has signed a cooperation agreement with Qatar’s Barzan Holdings to explore localized production of unmanned systems, marking a new phase in defense-industry collaboration between the two countries. The agreement was formalized during DIMDEX 2026 in Doha, attended by senior defense officials from both nations. Under the arrangement, Orqa and Barzan will examine partnership structures that could enable manufacturing of Orqa’s drone platforms within Qatar, supporting regional supply chains and technology transfer. Croatian officials emphasized the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern military operations, noting that Orqa’s fully European-made drones are gaining international traction. Strengthening domestic defense industries, they argued, enhances national security by reducing reliance on external suppliers. The Qatar partnership aligns with Croatia’s broader defense-modernization drive, which has seen Zagreb expand procurement and industrial ties across air and land domains. Recent efforts include the induction of Rafale multirole fighters from France to replace aging MiG-21s, follow-on armored vehicle programs with Finland’s Patria, and deepened cooperation with the US tied to Bradley IFV refurbishment, training, and sustainment.
