Естонија потпиша договор со Турција вреден 200 милиони евра, за набавка на 230 парчиња 6х6 и 4х4 оклопни возила од Otokar i Nurol Makina.
https://www.kaitseinvesteeringud.ee/eesti-ostab-ligikaudu-200-miljoni-euro-eest-uusi-soomukeid/
Estonia will buy new armored vehicles for approximately 200 million euros
The National Center for Defense Investments (RKIK) today signed contracts with the companies Nurol Makina and Otokar to acquire approximately 230 wheeled armored vehicles for the Estonian Defense Forces, in addition, four wheeled armored vehicles will also be purchased for the demining center of the rescue agency. The purpose of the armor is to protect the defense forces in a combat situation, so that the redeployment of the defense forces on the battlefield is as quick and safe as possible.
The new armored vehicles will be acquired for the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Defense Forces, which has not previously had armored wheeled vehicles. In addition, more armored personnel carriers will also be procured for the 1st Infantry Brigade and the demining center of the Rescue Board. "The protection of the Estonian soldier in a dangerous situation is of primary importance to us. Considering the current security situation, it was important in our procurement conditions that the first machines must arrive in Estonia as early as possible," said Karmo Saar, RKIK's category manager for air, water and combat vehicles.
"It was a large-scale and technically complex tender with extremely close competition, nine companies from six countries participated in the tender. The procurement was structured in such a way that the armor had to meet the technical requirements and quality standards we set, and the best offers were selected based on the fastest delivery time and price. Successful bids were made by Turkish companies Nurol Makina and Otokar, which have long-term experience in building armored vehicles," said Saar.
"We are dealing with significant capability development, primarily in armoring and making the division's 2nd Infantry Brigade's infantry battalions, but also the command points of the entire division, more mobile. The delivered armor increases the unit's resistance to destruction and allows for greater flexibility in the use of units," said Defense Forces Division Commander Major General Veiko-Vello Palm.
The available armored vehicles are divided into two categories, the 4×4 armored vehicles that will be used by smaller teams in both the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades, and the 6×6 armored vehicles that will be used as the infantry vehicles of the 2nd Infantry Brigade. The 4×4 armored model is NMS and will be supplied by Nurol Makina, the 6×6 armored model is Arma and its supplier is Otokar. The first armored vehicles will arrive in Estonia in 2024.
The new body armor will be adapted to the needs of the defense forces and will be certified for both small arms fire and mine blast protection. For security purposes, the vehicles are equipped with a smoke grenade launcher and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, which is in a turret on the roof of the tank.
The period of the signed wheeled armor contracts is ten years, and the estimated cost of the procurement is approximately 200 million euros. Contracts allow the purchase of additional armor and spare parts if necessary. It is also possible to order services for the maintenance, repair and development of the respective vehicles with contracts.
In addition to the procurement contracts, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler signed a letter of intent, which creates the basis for defense industry cooperation between the two countries. Also, a cooperation agreement was signed between RKIK and the Turkish Defense Industry Agency to ensure the security of supply of armor-related materials and services and to jointly organize training and development.
