DIMDEX 2026 — Performance Marine, a privately-held Qatari firm, today unveiled its new Ghost 7 unmanned surface vessel, with company executives hoping the system will find sales both domestically and abroad.
“We need to finalize the proof-of-concept [through] water [trials], [we will] do a regular testing, and then we go for, the local end user,” the company’s CEO Sheikh Hassan Al Thani told Breaking Defense today during the DIMDEX 2026 exhibition in Qatar.
The CEO expected Ghost 7 to undergo sea trials during 2026. He added that the company’s target is not only the Qatari market but also exports, including GCC states especially that the firm is in active talks with UAE, KSA and Kuwait.
“We’re going abroad as well. We’re going to the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council]. Our next stop will be in Riyadh [for World Defense Show]. We’re exploring more markets. That’s why we [have] unveiled the ghost fleet during Dimdex here in Doha,” Al Thani added.
The two primary configurations being shown at DIMDEX includes one one for naval combat missions and another dedicated for ISR, according to Dave Kriner, the company’s chief integration officer.
The combat configuration of the seven-meter-long vessel is was shown off on the conference floor, armed with a deterrence turret equipped with optronic sensors, a search light, a dazzling laser, an optical detection AIS (automatic identification system) transponder and radar. It also featured a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) and APKWS laser guided rockets launcher. However, Kriner specified that the configuration is modular and are subject to “individual customer request.”
The ISR design, meanwhile, keeps the sensors but does away with the turret. Instead, a rotary wing drone gives an enhanced surveillance capability.
The Ghost 7 is equipped with two inboard FNM 350 horse power diesel marine engines, along with a generator, fuel tank and gyro for stabilizing the vessel especially when attacking targets.
Outside of the Ghost 7, the company has delivered a 13-meter USV prototype to Qatari firm Barzan (they did not say what Barzan is using them for) and has further plans to develop future USVs, including 15, 16 and 24 meter long vessels.
“The company has its own serial production facility, with one production line that can build 10 USVs in one year,” Kriner said.
Near the Ghost 7 display was an unmanned, three-meter-long jet ski, which Kriner said was similar in concept those that have been used in Ukraine. He said the design can be controlled either via radio, GPS or Starlink — the latter of which is also available to control the Ghost 7, he said.
During the last version of the Qatari maritime show the firm displayed a 39-foot (12 meter) USV, dubbed the Suhail, which was developed in cooperation with US-based L3Harris.
Overall, there is a clear interest in USVs at DIMDEX. In addition to Performance Marine, Barzan and Turkish firm Ulaq all feature vessels and models on the show floor.
CORRECTION 1/19/26 at 12:23 pm ET: This story has been updated to accurately reflect that only one USV has been sold to Barzan, and that the jet skis have not been sold for use in Ukraine.