Minister: Azerbaijan intends to broaden the production of military transports with "Paramount Group" company

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry is interested in long-term cooperation with the "Paramount Group" of the Republic of South Africa and intends to realize new projects with this company, Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Industry Yavar Jamalov said.

According to the minister, 30 anti-mine transports produced by "Paramount Group" jointly with Electronic Calculating Machines (ECM) Plant were delivered to the Defense Ministry in March. The armament of these machines is being carried out now: "We will arm 15 machines till June 2011, and will arm the other 15 machines till the end of this year. The production of 50 transports was planned within the agreement. The other 20 transports will be produced till the end of this year".

Jamalov underlined that 20 more transports will be produced according to the amendments made in the agreement. Consequently the number of Marauder and Matador transports produced in Azerbaijan under Paramount Group’s license will reach 70: "Our cooperation with Paramount Group is on high-level and develops. We are interested in continuation of our cooperation with our first international partner on the production of military hardware".

The minister noted that the relevant decision can be passed on the joint production of Paramount Group’s Mbombe new fighting vehicle: "This is a new fighting vehicle. The company held a presentation ceremony of this fighting vehicle. At first the model of this fighting vehicle will be brought to Azerbaijan for testing and then we will organize its production".

14.5 mm and 12.7 mm machineguns have "V" shaped chassis. In case of antitank mines’ explosion, they protect the staff from splinters and explosive impacts. Note that, "Matador" can carry 14 (12+2), "Marauder" 10 (8+2) personnel. Their explosion resistance is 21 kg TNT and 14 kg TNT. These combat vehicles can protect the personnel from 7.62 mm ammo. "Matador" meets standards of STANAG 4569 Level 4a and STANAG 4569 Level 4b, "Marauder" meets standards of STANAG 4596 Level 3a and STANAG 4569 Level 3b.


/APA/