SHAH ALAM: Turkish delights to Tunisia. Five Turkish defence firms has sold $150 million (RM609 million) worth of products to Tunisia in 2020, says Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) Chairperson Ismail Demir says in a Twitter on 24 December.
The products, Daily Sabah said include Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) Anka medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), BMC’s Kirpi mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle, Nurol Makina’s Ejder Yalçın armored vehicles, various Katmerciler vehicles such as tankers and tanks, and Turkish defense giant ASELSAN’s electro-optic systems.
Nurol Makina Ejder Yalcin 4X4 armoured displayed at the Deftech booth at DSA 2018. The vehicle is now being offered by NADI Corporation Sdn Bhd.
The products are for Tunisian security forces, Demir said, noting that they had held a Defense Industry Cooperation Meeting with Tunisian officials via videoconference.
The export of the Anka UAVs is the first time the product has been sold abroad. TAI will deliver three Anka UAVs and three Ground Control Systems to the Tunisian Air Force Command, according to a previous report by Turkish online news site Habertürk.
The financing of the exports will be provided through Türk Eximbank. The bank is to provide $80 million (RM324 million) in loans to Tunisia, the Habertürk report stated.
Fifty-two Tunisian pilots and maintenance personnel will be given the necessary training at TAI facilities in the capital Ankara.
It is interesting to note that Tunisia purchased at least three 4X4 armoured vehicles from three manufacturers, which is also likely to be involved in the Malaysian tender for similar vehicles.
Apart from the vehicles, Tunisia also bought the Anka UAV another likely candidate to be purchased by Malaysia. The report above stated Tunisia was buying three Anka UAVs and three ground control stations which will be financed by the Turk Eximbank with a loan of $80 million.
Based on the total price of $150 million, it is likely the bulk of the cost is for the Anka unmanned system though I am not sure whether it is actually three airframes or three systems which is nine airframes.Anyhow Merry Christmas and hopefully a Happy New Year.
— Malaysian Defence
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The question is why does anyone buy the more expensive Anka instead of the more cheaper TB2? Because Anka have twice the cruising speed and can carry abit more payload?
Tunisia buys but massively financed by Turkey?
Reply
Yes
I can see why they made the odd decision of “buying” 3 types of 4×4 vehicles within the same order. It is not their decision but the Turks. Likely to support their local makers but not siding with anyone.