Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

2012 was a successful year for the defense industry of Azerbaijan, Minister Yaver Jamalov said Monday at a meeting on the outcomes of 2012 and challenges expected in 2013.

The volume of defense goods produced in Azerbaijan increased by 12 percent in 2012, compared with 2011, Jamalov said.

Jamalov also said there was an increase in the production volume of civilian goods in 2012. The total number of such items exceeded 400.

The Ministry of Defense Industry, which first presented only 27 items at an international exhibition in 2009, showcased 125 items at the Indo Defence-2012 exhibition held in Indonesia in November last year, the minister said.

Jamalov noted that new production sites such as a pilot plant for the production and improvement of small weapons, sites for the production of gas masks, means of special protection and ammunition of various calibers were created and put into operation by the enterprises of the ministry in 2012.

In order to provide the defense industry with specialized personnel, the Azerbaijan Technical University opened the department "Special equipment and technology", under a relevant decision of the Cabinet of Ministers and on the proposal of the Ministry of Defense Industry. Preparation of specialists through bachelor and master's degree programs on five defense-related majors started in the 2012/2013 academic year. Last year 75 students were admitted to this department.

Deputy Ministers Yahya Musayev and Tofig Rafiyev delivered speeches at the meeting on the results of 2012, followed by reports of the heads of enterprises on their activity.

At the board meeting, ministry officials were awarded with the honorary titles of "Distinguished Engineer" for their contribution to the development of the Azerbaijani defense industry, as well as medals "Tereggi" (Progress) and "For Excellence in Public Service" by President Ilham Aliyev's decree.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Jamalov issued instructions to the heads of relevant agencies, associations and enterprises to fulfill the orders given by the Azerbaijani President for the development of the defense industry in 2013.