John Craig, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Paramount Group, South Africa, foreign partner of the Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry on the production of mine protected armored vehicles, gives an interview to APA
-We would like you inform about the cooperation between your company and Azerbaijan. How do you evaluate current cooperation between Paramount Group and Azerbaijan?
-First of all, I would like to note that our cooperation with the Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry has strategic significance to the Paramount Group. This is one of our first foreign technology transfer projects involving our armoured vehicle range, and all my colleagues at Paramount Group are pleased to work with Azerbaijan on this important project.
We have started production of mine-protected vehicles in Baku, and the first vehicles have already been completed.
This project with MODIAR has raised awareness of Azerbaijan in South Africa, and has stimulated the interest of South African industry to cooperate with Azerbaijan in further areas.
Our joint production facility in Baku targets not only Azerbaijani, but regional market requirements, as well. Due to our joint efforts with the Ministry of Defense Industry, we are looking forward to deliver these technologies to other clients in the regions who also need protected vehicles.
-The question is about other post-Soviet countries.
-One of the basic plans we prepared jointly with the Ministry of Defense Industry is finding of new clients in the region. Paramount Group sees Azerbaijan as an important center for production of such protected vehicles, and we envisage that much of the regional demand can be met from production in Azerbaijan.
Beyond this, we have plans regarding the production of other defense goods in Azerbaijan Our technological cooperation will be extended in future.
-How do Matador and Marauder mine-protected armoured vehicles designed and produced by the Paramount Group differ from their other analogues?
-First of all I should say that our vehicles are brand new, state-of-the-art designs, incorporating the most modern technologies. We applied newer technologies after analyzing similar products. An important difference between our vehicles and those produced by our rivals is the design aesthetic. We designed the vehicles so that they do not have a very aggressive appearance. Unlike other military vehicles having aggressive appearance, such vehicles can be used in peacekeeping operations and internal security situations.
-Secondly, we have designed our vehicles to have the highest level of ballistic and mine-protection in their weight class. Our use of bending techniques, high strength specialist steels and spaced armour in a monocoque construction is a unique innovation. The same Commercial-Off-The-Shelf engines, transmissions and other automotive aggregates are used in Matador and Marauder, as they were designed as a vehicle family. This simplifies production and support of these vehicles.
-Your company also functions in other spheres – aerospace and naval industry. Do you have plans to cooperate with Azerbaijan in these spheres?
-Paramount has implemented several aerospace projects in collaboration with Aerosud, a South African company that has technical expertise in combat helicopters and supersonic fighter aircraft. These projects include the provision of Mirage F1 aircraft, support and training to clients in Africa. In fact, the Paramount Group has recently acquired a 20% shareholding in Aerosud, and may increase this stake even further in future. We are also looking at developing new aircraft types with Aerosud, As regards the cooperation with Azerbaijan, we are looking into other projects together with the Ministry of Defense Industry. This program is in the initial stage. I am sure that as our cooperation with the Ministry of Defense Industry develops, we will see that our cooperation is not established only on vehicles. We will see the implementation of joint projects in aviation and other spheres.
-“Paramount Group” had projects on joint production of armored vehicles with Jordan. Are these projects still underway?
– We have been cooperating successfully with Jordan, especially with King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) for several years. We have done various projects together, including the transfer and refurbishment of Ratel 6×6 infantry vehicles from South African National Defence Force strategic stocks. We also have an agreement with KADDB for the transfer of technology to Jordan for local manufacture of mine protected vehicles for the Jordan Armed Forces. Manufacturing activity is expected to begin this year.
– How has the World financial crisis impacted on the activity of “Paramount Group” and its projects under implementation? Were there any problems in the realization of the projects?
– “Paramount Group” helps its customers find solutions to the financing of defence and peacekeeping projects, and the global financial crisis has simply served to stimulate demand for our financed package solutions. We have not had any payment defaults during this time, which attests to the strength of our relationships and mutual commitment with our clients.
– “Paramount” got access to Indian market during global financial crisis. How important and interesting is this region for you?
– South-East Asia is a rather interesting regional market. And, as you noted, we work together with India. Early this year we signed an agreement with “Ashok Leyland” for the production of mine-protected armoured vehicles in India. This agreement with our partners in India, creates a solid manufacturing and support base for the marketing and sale of these vehicles in South-Eastern Asia. I think that we have very strong partnership with this region.
APA
