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Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 17 / Trend T.Hajiyev /
New production sites will be created in the defense industry of Azerbaijan, the country's Defense Industry Minister Yaver Jamalov told journalists on Friday.
"Eight new production sites, which manufacture new types of weapons and ammunition, are expected to be commissioned by March 2011," he said.
Jamalov said the production of defense products increased by 115 times in 2010 compared to 2006 and 3.6 times compared to 2009.
"The restoration and reorganization of the Soviet period enterprises and the production of defense products on their base have become the main priority since the establishment of the Azerbaijani Defense Industry Ministry," Jamalov said.
"The country reconstructed plants and established 31 production sites. At present, these production sites manufacture small arms, ammunition, camouflage net, grenade launchers, mortars, armored vehicles and pistols "Zefer" and "Zefer-K", "Inam" that meet the standards of NATO, and upgrades technology remained from the Soviet Union," the minister further said.
He said the number of products presented by the Defense Industry Ministry on the international exhibitions increases each year.
"Our participation in the exhibitions demonstrates to the international community development of the Azerbaijani defense industry. We familiarize with modern technology at these exhibitions and are working to ensure imports of these technologies to Azerbaijan. During the past exhibitions, we have established links with companies of different countries, signed letters of intent," Jamalov said.
Jamalov later led a ministerial delegation to the Alley of Honors and laid a wreath at the tomb of Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev. The delegation also visited the Alley of Martyrs and laid flowers on the graves of those who died for the independence of Azerbaijan.