SLAVONSKI BROD, June 28 (Hina) - The Slavonski Brod-based factory of special vehicles, "Djuro Djakovic", Croatia's largest manufacturer of military equipment, is largely participating in the modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces
and some products could be used for export. This was said during Friday's visit of a defence ministry delegation led by Minister Zeljka Antunovic to the factory.
SLAVONSKI BROD, June 28 (Hina) - The Slavonski Brod-based factory
of special vehicles, "Djuro Djakovic", Croatia's largest
manufacturer of military equipment, is largely participating in
the modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces and some products
could be used for export. This was said during Friday's visit of a
defence ministry delegation led by Minister Zeljka Antunovic to the
factory. #L#
Djuro Djakovic and the defence ministry signed a contract on the
manufacture of 20 tanks, worth around 186 million kuna (EUR24
million) in 1999. Five M-84 type tanks have already been
constructed and the six remaining will be delivered to the ministry
by the end of the year.
The long-term planning and cooperation between Djuro Djakovic and
the ministry creates leeway for the modernisation of the army, as
well as for the development of Djuro Djakovic and other sections of
Croatia's economy, it was said during talks in the factory.
Participants spoke in particularly about a new type of tank,
"Degman", which should be completed by the end of August. Because of
its characteristics, it is estimated that the tank could also
become competitive on large markets as Croatia's export product.
Alongside the tank programme and maintenance of fighting
techniques, the ministry is also interested in other Djuro Djakovic
defence programmes, such as the production of armoured carriers,
radio communication equipment of the new generation and the
continuation of production of engineering machines.
The minister announced the signing of a 25 million kuna-worth
(EUR3.3 mln) agreement on the production of 20 pieces of equipment
for the army's engineering units.
Antunovic said the two sides had agreed in principle on the
construction of 20 tanks per year, which depends both on Djuro
Djakovic's production possibilities and the state's funds.
Although some parts of the M-84 tank, such as the engine, were not
produced in Croatia, the model could gradually become completely
Croatian-made and a regional product.
Antunovic said the state should encourage economic cooperation in
the wider regional area, including Serbia.
(hina) lml sb