Azerbaijan self-sufficient in ammunition

[Babur Han]

Azerbaijan self-sufficient in ammunition

Azerbaijan now produces enough ammunition to meet all its own needs, Defence Industry Minister Yaver Jamalov has said.

“Now, we are tackling our dependence for armoured vehicles. We are also creating weapons systems that meet modern standards,” Jamalov told journalists on Friday.

He was reviewing progress since the Defence Industry Ministry was set up by presidential decree on 16 December 2005.

The ministry’s first job was the restoration and reconstruction of defence institutions left over from the Soviet period and the production of munitions on their basis.

“The reconstruction of plants has created 31 production sites. At present, these sites produce various calibre rifles, ammunition, camouflage nets, grenade launchers, mines, armored hardware and the Inam, Zafar and Zafar-K NATO-standard pistols. Soviet-era equipment is being modernized. Eight new production spheres should be commissioned by March and will produce new types of weapons and ammunition,” Jamalov said.

New products

The Defence Industry Ministry is negotiating with Turkey’s Otokar company on the production of armoured vehicles.

“Negotiations are under way. If joint production is efficient, then we may opt for this,” Jamalov said.

The Defence Industry Ministry and Otokar signed a protocol of intent on the production of hardware in October this year. Otokar designs, develops and manufactures light armoured tactical vehicles.

The ministry is working on new products to meet the needs of Azerbajian’s armed forces.

“New projects envisage the production of missiles, different types of ammunition, grenade throwers and small arms. The program has already been submitted to the president,” Jamalov said.

He said ministry facilities had started to produce practice and battle bombs, mines, long-distance mine throwers, sniper rifles, caterpillar tracks for military vehicles, Matador and Marauder armoured vehicles and so on. Armoured personnel carriers are also being modernized.

Azerbaijan also plans to export arms and has signed protocols of intent on the export of Azerbaijani-made weapons and ammunition, the minister said. The Defence Industry Ministry will exhibit at four arms fairs next year.

He said that ministry facilities also produced civilian output.

Ministry of Defence Industry employees mark their professional holiday on 17 December.

APA

Azerbaijan self-sufficient in ammunition | TRDEFENCE