Uganda ordered armored vehicles from Turkish defense company and automotive manufacturer Otokar for its military forces sometimes in October, according defense intelligence sources.
Turkish manufacturer Otokar in a statement published on its website confirmed that it struck a contract worth $110m t to equip the Ugandan armed forces with 100 armored vehicles. The further declared that the agreement includes Arma 8x8s and Cobra II 4×4 tactical wheeled armored vehicles, as well as spare parts and training services, with plans to start delivery in 2021 and complete by the end of 2022.
According to the company statement, it noted that the last month’s contract with Uganda marks the first order for Arma vehicles from Africa. However, Otokar noted that it has previously sold a number of Cobra armored vehicles to a number of African countries highlighting that the orders for Cobra from Africa are steadily accumulating. Customers on the continent include Burkina Faso, Ghana, Algeria, Mauritania, Nigeria, Rwanda and Tunisia. Chad may also be operating the type.
According to Otokar’s General Manager Serdar Görgüç, despite the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Otokar continues to increase its exports of armored vehicles, which it designs in-house saying they stand out for their high level of protection and superior mobility.
Görgüç further that noted that Otokar’s, armored vehicles are preferred in the international arena, displaying worldwide the nation’s defense industry capabilities as well as Turkey’s engineers and workers’ efforts.
Otokar’s Arma 8×8 is the newest member of the vehicle development program that was initially kicked off in 2007. It was unveiled at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) held in Istanbul in May 2011.
The new generation modular, a multi-wheel armored vehicle is said to have superior tactical and technical features and is a multipurpose platform that allows for the integration of various mission equipment and weapons systems.
