Turkey’s ROKETSAN company and Azerbaijan to realize several projects in defense industry

Sakarya launchers for 122mm missiles used in the Turkish army will be produced in Azerbaijan together with ROKETSAN company, Deputy Director General of ROKETSAN Yavuz Aka told APA.

Yavuz Aka said Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry and ROKETSAN signed a protocol within the framework of IDEX-2011 and noted that according to the document, 107mm and 122mm missiles designed and produced by ROKETSAN will be produced in Azerbaijan basing on the joint production model.

"Necessary work has been done. Some parts of the missile will be sent to Azerbaijan from Turkey. First there will be test production. If the program is successful after the tests the production will continue. We are also trying to sign a contract on these issues. We are going to sign a contract within a few months," he said.

Yavuz Aka added that engine system of missiles will be produced by ROKETSAN in Turkey, warheads in Azerbaijan. The parts will be assembled in Azerbaijani factories.

“We are discussing several projects with Azerbaijan at the moment. We continue holding meetings to establish potential partnership,” Yavuz Aka said.

According to the company official, ROKETSAN-produced TR107 and TR122 artillery rockets have an additional range in difference from their analogues. The rockets are based on different technologies, particularly technologies of composite fuel. The rocket’s design was completely changed except its length and caliber. The above rockets' range is twice as long as the classic rockets.

Aka said Azerbaijan and Turkey use same launchers for 107-mm missiles now.

"Our 107-mm missile was tested in same launcher in Turkey and we don’t think that we will have a problem with that. Regarding TR122 rockets, it is launched from BM21 launcher and from "Sakarya" in Turkey. We experienced BM21 launcher few years ago. It is not so effective. We will test it again. The launcher we produce jointly with Azerbaijan will be an improved version of "Sakarya". We have another deal on that and it will be realized in next few years. I think we can also use BM21 launcher too".

The ROKETSAN official said they were discussing "Cirit" and UMTAS (160 mm) rockets, which were tested now, with Azerbaijan.

UMTAD is long-range anti-tank missile, said Aka and added that this rocket is in a phase of assessment now. The project will be completely finished by the end of 2012 and serial production will be started after that. “We are working on OMTAS middle-range anti-tank missile (160 mm). This project will be completed by the end of 2013. We are continuing discussion with Azerbaijan on these projects. These rockets can be launched from the helicopters and other transport means”.


/APA/