Turkish defense company Nurol Makina and N7 Nemzeti Védelmi Ipari Innovation Holding signed an MoU on Tuesday underlining a joint venture to manufacture Gidrán combat vehicles.
According to MTI, the companies’ chief executives Engin Ufuk Aykol and László Palkovics, respectively, signed the deal in the presence of Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky in the ministry building. The deal involves production and assembly as well as research and development in Hungary, the ministry said in a statement. Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted efforts underway to revamp the Hungarian armed forces, saying that this must be achieved in a way that insulates Hungary from supplier risks. Hungary views Turkey as a strategic partner in this, he said. So far the assembly of the Gidrán combat vehicle has taken place in Kaposvár, and now the entire vehicle itself will also be manufactured in Győr, in western Hungary, at the Rába manufacturing site. This, he added, was “a huge step forward” because of the export potential as well as satisfying domestic needs. At least 200 new jobs will be created thanks to the deal, he said, adding that a broad network of domestic suppliers will also be involved.