06 March 2024

DIMDEX 2024: Qatar's special forces training centre opens new site

by Jeremy Binnie

A model displayed at the DIMDEX 2024 show held in Doha from 4 to 6 March shows the new Al-Sayliyah site of the Project 401 Special Forces Training Centre. (Janes/Jeremy Binnie)

Qatar's Project 401 Special Operations Training Centre revealed its second site during the DIMDEX 2024 show held in Doha from 4 to 6 March.

The new site adds to an existing 300 m range and simulator facility in the southwest corner of Camp Al-Sayliyah, west of Doha. It includes a second 300 m range, a 600 m range for sniper training, a 360° live-fire simulator, an Airbus airliner for counter-terrorism training, a driving course, and an urban warfare area. These are supported by large administration and accommodation facilities.

Project 401's other sight is a dedicated naval special forces training facility that was built on the eastern side of the Bay of Zekreet on Qatar's western coast under a contract awarded to the Turkish company Modern Defense Solutions (MDS) in March 2018. While MDS identified it as the Buroq Special Marine Operations Training Centre, Project 401's English-language brochure calls it Brouq.

The Qatari Ministry of Defence (MoD) released a video in October 2022 showing the completed facility has a mock-up cargo ship for counter-hijack training, a tower with a simulated NH90 helicopter fuselage for rappelling on one side and a plunge pool on another, a helicopter underwater escape simulator, an obstacle course, and a boat dock.

The Project 401 brochure revealed that it also has an explosives simulation area where courses can be run to detect and clear improvised explosive devices. This includes courses on handling dogs to detect explosives.

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