Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

The 13th International Defense Industry Fair IDEF-2017 has opened in Turkey’s Istanbul. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry also attends the exhibition, the ministry reported on May 10.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Industry Minister Yavar Jamalov attended the opening of the exhibition.

The ministry participated in IDEF for the first time in 2009, presenting 29 items of defense-related products. Currently, the ministry showcases 260 samples of its products at the IDEF 2017.

A number of samples of new products of local production, presented for the first time at the Istanbul exhibition, which brings together about 300 companies from 50 countries, attached huge interest.

As part of the exhibition, Jamalov met with Turkey’s National Defense Minister Fikri Isik and several heads of military-industrial companies.

Jamalov also met with the leadership of Defense Ministry and Defense Industry Ministry of Mongolia. During the meeting, discussions were held on the establishment of cooperation in the sphere of defense industry between the two countries.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and representatives of other law enforcement agencies also visited the stand of Azerbaijan’s Defense Industry Ministry at the IDEF 2017.

During the exhibition, which will last until May 12, Jamalov is expected to meet with heads of delegations participating in the exhibition. The delegations will be informed about the third Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2018), which will be held in Azerbaijan next year.

Azerbaijan leaves behind many CIS and regional countries to take its place among the first 60 strongest armies of the world, according to the U.S.-based Global Firepower survey center.

The country, which is in war with neighboring Armenia over the latter's groundless territorial claims during more than 20 years, keeps in focus the armament. Azerbaijan creates its own armament and works closely with leading companies and firms in various fields of military industry.

The country's Defense Industry Ministry has increased the volume of defense industry products in 2016 by 1.6 times compared to 2015, while the product assortment rose by 1.8 times. Currently, twenty-eight military factories are operating within the Defense Industry Ministry.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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