Azerbaijan is in talks with two Chinese companies on the purchase of
long-range missiles, Defense Industry Minister Yaver Jamalov has told
the Baku-based ANS TV channel.
“Preliminary talks have already
been held on delivering such missiles. The negotiations will be
completed soon. I am hopeful that the missiles will be brought to
Azerbaijan in the shortest time possible,” said Jamalov, who is
attending a major international defense industry exhibition in Istanbul.
The
minister said the IDEF-2011 exhibition was a major success for
Azerbaijan, as the country signed a number of agreements with Turkey and
Ukraine.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Minister Jamalov and
Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul signed a letter of intent on joint
manufacturing of 105 mm canons and infantry rifles. Azerbaijan also
inked an agreement with Turkey’s MKEK (Mechanical and Chemical Industry
Corporation) to co-produce 120 mm mine launchers.
Jamalov said
Azerbaijan has also signed letters of intent with Turkey’s Aselsan and
Roketsan on joint production of 122 mm rockets and nocturnal devices.
According to him, an agreement was also reached with a Ukrainian company on joint production of anti-tank missiles.
He
said further that Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry plans to
manufacture 60 drones by the end of 2011. The newly opened plant in
Azerbaijan produces two types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), he
said.
Jamalov said Azerbaijani weaponry displayed at the IDEF-2011 exhibition is of great interest to the participants.
“As
a result, the issue of using Azerbaijan’s 14.5 and 12.7 mm sniper
rifles in Turkey’s armed forces was considered and agreed upon. Our
rifles will most likely be available in the country’s armed forces
soon.”
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