Turkey's Otokar to complete "Cobra" armored vehicle supply to Azerbaijan in June

An interview with Otokar's CEO Serdar Gorguc.


What importance do the Gulf region and its biennial IDEX International Defense Exhibition have for Otokar?

This region is very important for the world and this is a region which has a great importance for the world’s defense industry. Therefore exhibitions held in this region attract many visitors from Central and Southern Asia, Africa. There are many different customers and of course we have our interests there as well. Otokar is one of the first Turkish companies attending the IDEX exhibition and we always participate in this exhibition. We meet our clients there, learn new requirements, find the interested parties and establish our activity according to these developments.

How do you asses the regional countries? Which countries show much interest to Otokar products?

Every country in this region has its large and small defense expenditures. We have a number of clients in this geography. There are small and big countries among them and every of them has its own value and is important for us. We have contracts with the regional countries, which are running now, and we are fulfilling the orders. We present our new projects and discuss them.

What new projects do you have?

Our latest transport mean is ARMA 6x6 wheeled armored vehicle. Now we are working on its 8x8 version. It will be ready soon. We reached first sale deal for ARMA with one of the Gulf countries. We will begin production for this country in June. We have three projects on production of armored personnel carriers for another Gulf country. Within the IDEX International Defense Exhibition, we met with the defense officials of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar, Azerbaijan and other countries and learned their demands. Every country has own project. We need to choose transport means in accordance with their demands and to participate in the tenders.

When will you present ARMA 8x8 version to the public community?

We are planning to demonstrate new version in IDEF, Istanbul in May. ARMA 6x6 attracted great interest in IDEX. This is very important vehicle. These transport vehicles have a number of differences compared with the existing 6x6 and 8x8 military vehicles. They are particularly different in terms of design.

That is…

The control system of this armored vehicle is modular. It can be produced easily. Most of its parts are joint. Armies all over the world rarely choose 6x6 vehicles. Therefore, all producers create new platforms basing on 8x8 formula. The user wants stronger protection and efficient loading capacity. Another feature is the packaging of the mechanical parts inside the vehicle. This in its turn has influence on the size of the vehicles. The mine and ballistic protection is high. We can ensure the highest kinetic energy protection existing in the wheeled vehicles. This already means level 4.

What can you say about your projects regarding Azerbaijan?

We have got a contract with Azerbaijan on purchase and sale of Cobra wheeled armored personnel carriers and we have already started delivering Cobras. The first party of the armored vehicles was delivered to Azerbaijan in December last year. The process of delivery of the armored vehicles will continue this year. We will have fulfilled all terms of the contract by June. The contract mainly focuses on Cobra. But Land Rover Defender of Otokar is also envisaged in the contract. Azerbaijan is a new user for us. We saw that our vehicles will be favorable in Azerbaijan. Therefore, we think that the user will be satisfied. It requires not only performance of the vehicles, but also perfect training of the user. At present we are training the persons, who will driver these vehicles. We are also viewing a second contract with Azerbaijan.

Cobra is a new vehicle for Azerbaijan. One of the main problems in Azerbaijan’s regions, where these vehicles will be used, are connected with mines. What is the level of mine protection of Cobras?

From the first day Cobras were produced as a mine resistant vehicle. The body of vehicle is V-shaped. It was tested not only in Turkey, but also in the armies of the using countries. Our Cobras are used in 15 countries, half of them are countries under threat. These vehicles underwent real mine blasts. There was no problem or complaints. Not only body, but also seats and interior design protect the personnel in mine blasts. I think Cobra will justify itself in Azerbaijan, too.

Do you think about joint production with Azerbaijan?

In fact it is possible. But first of all the economic basis must be conducted. If it is economically efficient, the project can be realized. From the other side, there are no transport and shipment problem from Turkey to Azerbaijan. “Otokar” is ready to work together with Azerbaijan.

How many armored vehicles are planned to deliver to Azerbaijan within the project?

I can not make it public according to the agreement. But I can say that four different types of Cobra vehicles existed in Turkey are included here within the framework of agreement. It is important for Azerbaijan to learn and know these armored vehicles. We are waiting for the development of this agreement.

Otokar is the main manufacturer of the Turkish Armed Forces’ “Altay” National Tank project. What can you say about this project?

Now we passed to the detail design stage of the project. We conduct some activities for conversion of the tank’s prototype. This stage will continue for 14 months and we will see the first prototypes in 2014. We will have a plan which recognizes the main project in IDEF. “Altay” is very interested both in Turkey and the world. “Altay” will be the main fighting vehicle in respect of ground forces and completely based on the latest technology.

Your first partner in South Caucasus was Georgia Do you receive orders from this country?

Our Cobra carrier is used in Georgia. Georgian soldiers are very satisfied with these equipments. There are no additional offers and orders yet. Cobra was widely used during the war with South Ossetia. The users are satisfied with the performance, ability and the protection of Cobra. We have got the positive opinion both during the events and after them. But we think that we will have new agreements in this sphere. There is no problem in Georgia. We continue the negotiations with the other Turkic republics.


/APA/