Azerbaijan prepares draft on defense industry state order for 2014
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijan has prepared a program on state order in the defense industry for 2014, Defense Industry Minister Yavar Jamalov said on December 17.
Not only the Defense Ministry, but also other sectors have made their orders, he added.
He further said that Turkey and some other countries are highly interested in buying Azerbaijan's defense products.
"As a result, we have participated in international tenders in three countries and have won a number of bids. Organizational works related to exports of these products are now underway. The main exporters are Turkey and Jordan," Jamalov said.
He also said that the International Defense Industry Exhibition "ADEX-2014" will be held in September 2014 in Baku.
This exhibition will be the first event of its kind in the region, Jamalov said.
"For the time being, we are busy with serious organizational work in connection with this exhibition. To date, more than 100 companies from 21 countries have confirmed their participation in the exhibition. We hope that the exhibition will be held at a high level and help improve the country's political, economic, and military potential, as well as prestige," Jamalov said.
The ministry has started the mass production of a variety of munitions, he noted.
Jamalov said five production sites were put into operation in 2013 in ceremonies attended by the Azerbaijani President.
"Today, the first production site started production of munitions 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, 23 mm and 30 mm. The recycling process of all kinds of ammunition takes place in the second site. The processes on filling the shells 60 mm, 82 mm, 120 mm caliber and aerial bombs with the explosive substance with the latest technology and its production is underway in other sites," Jamalov said.
He said the work on the production of 120 mm mortars was completed and the production line was launched.
The minister also said that a test center for conducting tests on ammunitions from 5.45 mm caliber to 14.5 mm at a temperature of -50 degrees to +50 degrees Celsius temperature has started functioning.
He added that all the ammunition after testing pass to the relevant structures.
Jamalov also said the production of a sniper rifle "Mubariz" 12.7 mm in Azerbaijan is near completion.
He said the rifle will be submitted to the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan armament later this year.
Azerbaijan is strengthening its military power and defense capabilities on a yearly basis. The establishment of the Ministry of Defense Industry has been instrumental in strengthening the defense potential of the country.
The defense products output in Azerbaijan surged more than eight-fold during 2005-2013.
The Defense Ministry has created a new post-patrol Gurza machine, equipped with two 7.62 mm caliber weapons, one 12.7 mm caliber machine gun, a new 7.62 x 51mm caliber sniper rifle that meets NATO standards, and a machine gun designed for use in special military operations.
Furthermore, a new reconnaissance vehicle has been produced. This machine is equipped with a 23 mm caliber canon, a 7.62 mm caliber twin machine gun mount, an AQ-17 grenade launcher and other military equipment.
Machine guns, mortar launchers, Zafar-K pistols, AK-74M submachine guns, 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.