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New Signings for ARES and ASELSAN in Qatar
Pursuant to the contract signed during the DIMDEX 2014 exhibition, ARES shipyard opted for ASELSAN’s MUHAFIZ 30 mm and STAMP 12.7 mm remote-controlled stabilised weapon systems for the 17 boats of different types that are currently under construction for the Qatari Coast Guard. The memorandum of understanding concerning the procurement of these systems was signed on October 7 by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Nazlıbilek, Member of the Board at ASELSAN; Dr. Faik Eken, the General Manager of ASELSAN; and Kerim Kalafatoğlu, the Chairman of the Board at ARES Shipyard, at a ceremony attended by Dr. Celal Sami Tüfekçi, Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Industries, and Asuman Vangölü, Head of the International Cooperation Department. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Eken said: “By joining our forces, we will work to develop better technological solutions for Qatari users. ASELSAN’s stabilized weapons systems are already in wide use in many countries in the Gulf region, including Qatar. This project will increase the number of ASELSAN systems being used in Qatar, and will see the Qatari Coast Guard added to our list of users.”
Kalafatoğlu, on the other hand, said: “We take pride in working with a national supplier. Production activities in the project have already begun. A minimum of three boats will be delivered in 2016, and all remaining boats shall be delivered within a four-year period. We will train 275 personnel in Qatar, and we will also offer our Qatari customers a very comprehensive integrated logistic support package.” Giving the last speech at the ceremony, Dr. Tüfekçi expressed his thoughts by saying, “ASELSAN’s weapon systems are among the world’s most developed, just as ARES Shipyard’s boats are platforms that have proven themselves, and which are in demand all around the world.”