Turkey's first tank export completed, more to come
FNSS General Manager Nail Kurt stated that deliveries have started for the Kaplan MT tank produced for Indonesia and that the first package of the project will be completed this year.
Kurt told the AA correspondent that 2021 was a very busy year for FNSS, where they had more than 10 domestic and foreign contracts.
Expressing that they have generally achieved their goals and had a successful year, Kurt stated that they are working to meet the deadlines foreseen in many projects and to ensure customer satisfaction.
Explaining that they continue their export projects despite the difficulties arising from international travels restricted due to the Kovid-19 epidemic, Kurt said:
"We were able to complete our deliveries in Oman. The last vehicles were accepted. Some of the logistics trainings have been delayed due to travel restrictions, but they have also been completed. We concluded the year by signing an additional contract of approximately 18 million dollars. This contract is one of our main contracts in Oman. It was complementary. Our deliveries from Turkey were completed, except for the rescue vehicles in Malaysia. It was a year that we mostly supported the production of our partner DEFTECH in Malaysia. We focused on getting the newly designed rescue vehicles ready for delivery in line with the changing needs. year. The deliveries of these vehicles will also be completed this year. We have signed 2 new projects in the Philippines at the end of 2020. 2021 passed with the completion of the designs of these products and the work on the first products."
"Greater demand will come when used in the field"
Answering the questions about Kaplan MT, the first vehicle exported by the Turkish defense industry in the tank class, Kurt said that they carried out the project developed for Indonesia's needs with PT Pindad. Kurt gave the following information about the project:
“The first deliveries were knock-down kits, we have already shipped them. PT Pindad, our partner in Indonesia, is starting the assembly process. 10 of the 18 tanks will be shipped complete. They will also be sent before summer. They will be completed directly in April-May and are at FNSS, It will be sent to Malaysia. The tower installations will only be done there. Our project will be completed as of this year. There are negotiations about a second package, there are budget studies. This is how Indonesia works for now, the annual budget is allocated. Then there will be demand for larger quantities. They have a large number of needs in total. So we will eventually reach that total number. We are talking about how to do this. Let me just say that this first batch order is a very small part of the total batch."
Kaplan MT is also very close to the second export
Nail Kurt said that there was a need for MT in the Philippines, but another product was preferred at the last stage.
Explaining that they had the disadvantage of not having Kaplan MT on the field yet, Kurt said, "It was not a large number, but it would be an important indicator for us. After going head-to-head, a decision was made at the last minute. There are needs in other countries. We also foresee that it will be considered as a need in Turkey. Especially with the increase of asymmetrical hazards, the need for MT with 105 and 120 towers may arise. We have predictions that such a vehicle will definitely be given more attention in the next 5 to 10 years and there may be a project design." said.
Indigenous tower preparation
Stating that a Belgian-made gun turret was used in the tank at the request of Indonesia, Kurt said:
"There are very few towers like this in the world at the moment. We also have some plans. I know that ASELSAN has plans as well. I think there should be an activity in Turkey in terms of developing a tower. Of course, long and very costly processes need to be planned well. It's not something we can afford on our own. So I think it will gain momentum if we get the green light from our users, but there is no such development yet."
"Turkey's newly developed platforms will also be a power multiplier in exports"
Pointing out that the Turkish defense industry has developed many new products in the last 2-3 years, Nail Kurt said:
"When these products of the Turkish Armed Forces are put on the field, they will be positively reflected in exports as an important power multiplier. They see the prototype while we are designing it here and ask, "Are you doing this, the Turkish Armed Forces used it?" They are immediately interested, delegations come and go. As these products come out It will also have a very positive effect on exports. This applies not only to FNSS, but also to our entire defense industry."
Kurt, who wants those who are interested in the defense industry to follow the sector with the same attention and curiosity, said, "They will be much more proud of what they see and hear in the next 3-5 years. We will continue to be one of the locomotives of this sector. Let me make this promise." said.
Kaplan MT tankı için Endonezya'ya teslimata başlayan FNSS, 18 adetlik teslimatı bu yıl tamamlayacak. - Anadolu Ajansı
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