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10 Jun 15. Turkey to launch armoured vehicle production in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is looking to launch licensed assembly of a range of Turkish armoured vehicles, Kazakh media reported on 9 June. Speaking to Forbes Kazakhstan, managing director of Kazakh agricultural equipment manufacturer Kaz Kioti Bakhtiar Mamatov, said his company was currently in negotiations with state-owned defence equipment manufacturer Kazakhstan Engineering to assemble and produce vehicles made by Turkey’s BMC. According to Mamatov, the company is looking to begin production of BMC’s EFE and 235-16 4×4 tactical transports, 380-26 P 6×6 tactical transport vehicles, the mine-resistant, ambush-protected BMC 350-16 Z Kirpi 4×4, and BMC 250-10 Z Vuran multipurpose armoured vehicle.
The initial investment is expected to be approximately USD30 million, and will create 100 jobs, Mamatov said. The plant will initially focus on local assembly before increasing local workshare and content.
The move comes as Turkey is increasingly pushing into Kazakhstan in a number of sectors, ranging from agriculture and telecommunications to pharmaceuticals and food. Both the Turkish and Kazakh governments are seeking to boost bilateral trade from USD3.3bn in 2014 to more than USD10bn. The two countries already have an established defence trade, with Kazakhstan previously procuring seven Otokar Cobra armoured vehicles and Turkish firm Aselsan establishing a joint venture with Kazakhstan Engineering in 2013 to manufacture electro-optic and night vision systems for the Kazakh military. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
10 Jun 15. Bidders gather for Australia’s Land 400 project. The contest to supply a turret-mounted anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) for the Australian Army’s Land 400 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) programme remains wide open, with no front runners emerging. In keeping with the programme goal of a largely military-off-the-shelf (MOTS) CRV solution and the conditions set out in the request for tender (RfT), ATGW suppliers are prevented from offering their systems independently to the Defence Materiel Organisation and must partner with one of the potential prime contractors to be considered. Of the 225 CRVs sought under the project, some 180 Direct Fire High Survivability Lift variants -capable of conducting reconnaissance, command and control, joint fires and surveillance missions – will feature a turret – mounted ATGW. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
10 Jun 15. FAUN Trackway customers are now able to receive computer based training (CBT) for its products, allowing armed forces to remotely train personnel anywhere in the world. Simulated and animated content has been integrated into e-learning courses, enabling trainees to understand and take on board the theoretical content of operating FAUN Trackway systems at their own pace. The software can be used by students either ahead of the training course – for trainees to learn about the systems before they are faced with them in practical lessons – or afterwards as a revision tool. This is especially useful for countries that experience extreme heat, where outdoor practical lessons should be focused and time limited, as well as being an efficient and engaging alternative to PowerPoint presentations. The Danish Armed Forces have been the first to order this new technology as part of their most recent order of HGMS and MGMS-BD LITE.
Chris Kendall, CEO at FAUN Trackway, said: “This form of e-learning will become increasingly important for younger generations in armed forces around the world, who have grown up using technology above traditional learning tools. Our computer based technology will be taken to exhibitions around the world with our teams, to showcase the efficiencies it offers to our customers across the globe. As this is something that procurement deci