TSAMTO, August 10. The Turkish company Katmerciler has signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense of Kenya for the supply of tactical armored vehicles "Hizir" (Hizir) with a 4x4 wheel formula.
According to the Daily Sabah, referring to the company's statement, the contract is worth $ 91.4 million. it is the largest export transaction in its history. Kenya has become the third country in the world to order Katmerciler armored vehicles.
The agreement provides for the supply of 118 armored vehicles along with spare parts and tools. The transfer of equipment should begin in 2022 and will last until the end of 2023.
This is not the first export contract for the supply of BBM "Khizir". In July 2019, Katmerciler announced the sale of armored vehicles in the amount of $ 20.7 million to an unnamed customer from Africa (TSAMTO comment: judging by the photos that appeared later, the Ugandan Armed Forces became the buyer).
In February 2021, the company announced the signing of another export contract for the supply of armored vehicles, including the BBM "Khizir", "Atesh"and " Khan".
Commenting on the new deal, Acting CEO of Katmerciler Furkan Katmerchi said that the conclusion of the contract with Kenya is the result of two years of work.
As reported by TSAMTO, the Ministry of Defense of Kenya approved the purchase of 118 armored vehicles "Khizir" with a 4x4 wheel formula of the Turkish company Katmerciler in January 2021. The purpose of the purchase is to ensure the survivability of units participating in operations against the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
The choice was made based on the results of the evaluation of the proposals of three companies. Katmerciler with the Khizir armored vehicle fulfilled all the necessary requirements, ahead of the applicants from South Africa and North America.
The Katmerciler company, founded in 1985, first demonstrated the Hizir BBM to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the 3rd MUSIAD exhibition in November 2016. The vehicle, which provides a high level of protection against small arms fire and mine detonation, is designed in accordance with NATO standards, can be used in populated areas and on rough terrain.
The length of the BBM "Khizir" is 5.5 m, the width is 2.49 m, the height is 2.6 m, the maximum combat weight is 16 tons. The case with a V-shaped bottom provides protection against mines and improvised explosive devices. The car is equipped with a 6-cylinder Cummins ILS engine with a capacity of 400 hp, corresponding to the Euro-3 standard, and reaches speeds of up to 120 km / h. The fuel reserve is 700 km. "Khizir" can be equipped with Run-Flat tires, a central tire pressure maintenance system, a WMD protection system, a DUMV with a 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine gun or a 40-mm AG. In particular, the BBM can be equipped with the Aselsan SARP DMS. The vehicle provides transportation of a crew of 9 people (commander, driver and 7 people of the landing party).
The BBM can be supplied in several configurations, including a reconnaissance vehicle, a platform for weapons systems, a control vehicle, an ambulance, and an RCB-reconnaissance vehicle.
