Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense Industry plans to open new production facilities in April- May 2013.

It is planned to open new production facilities in April-May of the current year, in particular, a center on the production of ammunition of various calibers, a center for utilization of ammunition, a control-experimental center for the ammunition of small caliber, a center of subammunition of mines of various types and aviation missiles, and a center on the production of firing capsules, Minister of Defense Industry Yaver Jamalov said at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers aimed to discuss the results of Azerbaijan's socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2013.

The minister said the first quarter of 2013 was successful for the Ministry of Defense Industry.

According to him, goods worth 37.3 million manats (over $47.5 million) were produced in the facilities of the ministry, which is 2.9 times more than in the same period of last year. In 2013, the Ministry of Defense and other power-wiedling agencies ordered the production of defense goods worth over 450 million manats. Agreements worth 95.7 million manats were concluded in the first quarter of the year, the minister said.

Jamalov said substantial measures are being taken to completely implement the agreements. As a result of relevant measures the volume of production increased 2.6 times and the variety of goods surged 3.8 times compared to the same period of last year.

Machine guns, mortar launchers, Zafar-K pistols, AK-74M submachine guns, various types of battle and signal bullets, hand grenades, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, firearms, and spare parts for armored vehicles are among the goods produced and delivered to the customers, Jamalov said.

According to Jamalov, tests of 30 armored Matador and Marauder vehicles, five systems based on unmanned drones of the Orbiter-2M type which were produced by the Ministry of Defense Industry facilities and delivered to the customers were successfully implemented.

Furthermore, an overhaul and improvement of 27 Orbiter drones which were in use by the Defense Ministry were carried out and after that they were delivered to the customers. Currently work on the production of 60 armored vehicles and four systems on the basis of unmanned Aerostar drones is underway, the minister added.

Work on the creation of 12 barreled 107 millimeter jet-propelled multiple rocket launchers has been completed, Jamalov said and added that this product is recommended for serial production.

Jamalov also said this year serial production of 7.62 х 51 millimeter sniper rifles, 23 and 30 millimeter bullets of various types for anti-aircraft mounts and automatic weapons, antipersonnel fragmentation mines, firing packages for 30 and 40 millimeter mortar guns, various firing capsules for small arms, prismatic binoculars for small arms as well as installation of various types of special weapons on automobiles will be fully completed. Production of these military goods will comply with NATO standards.

Jamalov said explosives such as gunpowder, TNT and cyclonite are used as the main parts in the production of all types of weapons. If it is considered that purchase and delivery of these items take a long time and there are several problems with their acquisition, the construction of plants producing explosives would be of great importance, he added.

For this purpose, this year construction of three plants producing such items will be launched. Most of the equipment for these plants has already been brought to the country, Jamalov said.

Finishing and adjustnment work in six more production facilities which are planned to be put into operation in 2013 is underway, Jamalov said and added that these include plants producing firing packages of various types for 40 x 46 millimeter grenade launchers, triggers of various types for 23, 30 and 40 millimeter ammunition, 30 millimeter A42 weapons, items for artillery and tank weapons, plants on the assembly of missiles, etc.

Thus, since the establishment of the Ministry of Defense Industry the total volume of production facilities will reach 47, Jamalov said.

According to him, in order to supply the new facilities with new equipment, signing of agreements on the purchase of about 300 machines, special devices and tools from the companies of developed countries has begun. This work will be completed in a short period of time, Jamalov said.

IDEF-2013 exhibition

Azerbaijan will participate and demonstrate 130 goods at the IDEF-2013 international exhibition which will be held in Istanbul in May, Jamalov said.

Gurza patrol vehicles, 7.62 х 54 millimeter Gurza machine guns, 7.62 х 51 millimeter Yalguzag sniper rifles, 7.62 х 54 millimeter attack machine guns of HP-7.62 type, Aerostar and Orbiter unmanned drones will be exhibited at the exhibition, he added.

According to Jamalov, regular demonstration of goods produced in the facilities of the ministry at international defense industry exhibitions has now become a tradition. Jamalov said that the ministry displayed 27 goods at the Istanbul exhibition in 2009 while 125 goods were showcased at the exhibition in Indonesia in November 2012.

IDEF-2013 is the 11th international exhibition which is attended by the ministry, Jamalov said and added that it is planned to reach agreements in various fields of military cooperation.

International defense industry exhibition ADEX will be held in Baku in September 2014 and this event is the first of its kind in the history of Azerbaijan. Negotiations with leading world companies to that end are underway.