Nurol Makina Strengthens its Position in and around Turkey by its New Management and Strategies
Defence Turkey: First of all, I wish you all success in your new position. Could you please inform us about the general structure and success story of Nurol Makina since its establishment?
I want to begin by welcoming and thanking you for your kind wishes. Also I would like to congratulate Defence Turkey for its successful publication life and valuable supports to Turkish defence industry and media.
Nurol Makina ve Sanayi A.Ş (NMS)was founded in 1976, as a division of Nurol Holding, to construct turnkey industrial plants and perform large scale contracting, regarding steel construction and machinery production. With the establishment of SSM, NMS started to involve in the defence industry while working on its previous capabilities. NMS had carried out several important projects in an indoor area of 17.000 m2 on a land of 55.000 m2, with around 145 qualified and highly-experienced personnel.
M113 Armoured Tracked Combat Vehicle’s turret for Turkish Land Forces Command, add-on armour manufacturing, commander’s and gunner’s cupola, hatches and vehicle NBC systems, EJDER– which is the first indigenous 6x6 Armoured Wheeled Vehicle of Turkey– can be given as examples performed in defence industry. As well known, EJDER had been exported.
I would like to emphasize that TOMA (The Riot Control Vehicle), which is registered trademark to NMS, is one of the major products of NMS. TOMA can be defined as a paramilitary vehicle produced to meet the deficit of our country, by the use of current technologies and designing capabilities. The vehicle has been manufactured and delivered to various countries just after its first domestic contract. NMS has developed the third type of this vehicle which is different from the first type and has already been delivered abroad. The vehicle is being successfully used by various units of the General Directorate of Security in different cities.
NMS has also carried out work with GD European Land Systems - Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH companies at the level of licensing agreement for potential projects of 6x6 and 8x8 Pandur II Armoured Wheeled Vehicle Family. NMS is the main subcontractor of CBRN Mobile Field Laboratory Project in Turkey that was signed in March 2010; in the mentioned Project NMS has played an important role as armoured shelter producer and system integrator.
Defence Turkey: What will be the new developments, strategies and approaches together with your management?
Defence industry has a different side than other sectors which involves security. You have to improve your technology while following incidents, problems of the world and requirements of armed forces and security agencies. You are dealing with defence and security in 21st century; it is a big challenge.
First of all I would like to make some determinations about the situation of defence.
Today, military battlefield is defined as multi-dimensional, more complex, more dynamic and ambiguous. Military tactical area is more complex as a result of power absence which started with the removal of borders and absence of counter balancing force by the end of the cold war. Threats are changing and increasing day by day. In the past, conventional weapons and armoured vehicles were used in the battle field, but today, terrorist identity has taken its place. Asymmetric warfare techniques are mostly used by terrorist groups against armies, especially in the unstable geographical areas and urban regions. In today’s world, terrorists use the new technologies as well; that’s why new technological defence systems are required to keep the peace.
Today, there are some instable, hot regional spots in the world such as: Middle East, South and Central Asia, South America and Africa. It is reported that several major armed conflicts, terrorist activities have been held around the mentioned regions. India, Pakistan, Korea, Libya, Syria, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, China, Russia, Ethiopia, Venezuela, Thailand are some of these countries. The Arab Spring, also known as the Arab Revolution was one of the most important conflicts of the world and it is still continuing.
Some countries play an important role to sustain the peace and balance of the regions. Turkey plays such a role in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia regions. However the level of threats against such countries is very high and they have internal terror problems. While trying to sustain the peace and stability in their regions, they are also trying to keep the balance of their internal stabilities.
On the other hand, Military specialists emphasize on the 5th generation wars of the future. In the future, the ambiguity will increase and we will live in a more chaotic environment. More technological, unmanned, centrically-operated defense systems will be designed for the future. New technologies such as biotechnology, nanotechnology will gettheir places in the 5th generation wars. The symptoms of biological wars will appear. Developments in chemical and biological agents will require controlling systems on these studies due to the terrorists’ interest to use them.
All factors mentioned above show us a way to develop our approaches, strategies and organize our management. As a result, I can say that our products will be ranging from military defence to civil security.
Defence Turkey: In terms of production, investment, export and international projects; how do you evaluate the improvements asper the figures of 2011?How do you assess Nurol Makina’s position in 2012? What are your 2013 targets?
In 2008 and 2009, NMS was one of the top exporters in defence industry, mainly as a result of EJDER 6X6 exports. In 2010, some discussions arose to divert NMS’ capabilities into different fields of industries like energy and machinery. This, of course, has kept NMS away from the defence businesses for a while, which is what shehas actually been setup for and has been best. Within the second half of 2012, we mainly concentrated on putting NMS back on track for defence and establishing a plan to move forward. For 2013, NMS will continue to grow in defence and in homeland security sectors, become a technology-driven company and offer turnkey solutions to her stakeholders.
Defence Turkey: Could you please inform us about your ongoing programs and previous activities performed over the years with Turkish Armed Forces?
NMS, within the scope of supplying the first and second package to the Turkish Land Forces Command, manufactured M113 Armoured Tracked Combat Vehicle’s turret, add-on armour, commander’s and gunner’s cupola, hatches and vehicle NBC systems. In addition to this, the subsystems of the same armoured vehicle were manufactured for export purposes to different countries.
NMS started its design and development activities of RN-94 Armoured Wheeled Vehicle in 1993 and manufactured first prototype in 1994. Nurol Makina delivered these vehicles to the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) for the use of the Land Forces Command (KKK) in 1998.
NMS is the main subcontractor of CBRN Mobile Field Laboratory Project in Turkey that was signed in March 2010. NMS is responsible for the topics of the project mentioned below:
a. Producing an ISO 20 ft., container type laboratory which will take chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear samples and make measurements and analyses
b. Armouring the laboratory
c. Designing the technical area of the laboratory (power generator, air conditioning system, CBRN filtration system, lifting system, power distribution, etc.) and to integrate them to the laboratory
d. Making the laboratory valid and functional
e. Integrating the laboratory on the 6x6, 10 ton tactical vehicle
f. Fulfilling the tests with the whole system (vehicle and laboratory)
NMS is the contractor of Fire Control Equipment Platform Design and Development Project that was signed in April 2012. This project is part of another named the Modernization and Procurement of 35 mm Oerlicon Fire Control Equipment which was signed by SSM and Aselsan for the KKK as the End User. NMS is responsible for the design, production, complete system integration and functional tests of trailer, shelter, lifting mechanism for detector group, automatic levelling system, air conditioning system and CBRN filtration system of this project.
NMS is the subcontractor of the Crane Carrier System Design and Development Project for Turkish Naval Forces.
Defence Turkey: Could you please enlighten us about Nurol Makina’s vehicles and core capabilities?
NMS pioneered the Turkish armoured wheeled vehicle sector by its indigenous design and local manufacture of EJDER 6x6 Armoured Wheeled Vehicle (AWV) Family.
EJDER 6x6 AWV; has a design that fulfills two important requirements of today’s battlefield. These are; transferring the crew to the battlefield under high level armour protection and providing high level protection for the personnel unit designed against handmade explosives.
EJDER 6x6 Armoured Wheeled Vehicle; provides high protection level to the user against mine explosions. EJDER stands out from the product range by this feature. The mentioned design of the vehicle not only avoids the penetration of the mine’s explosive influences into the vehicle but also minimizes the effects on the personnel inside and ensures their survival in accordance with the NATO standards. This feature was proven during the tests by using real mines, crash test dummies and special test equipments.
EJDER 6x6 Armoured Personnel Carrier Vehicle is able to carry 12 crew members. Due to its outstanding design, the personnel can sit ergonomically in the vehicle; they can also carry all the required armament and ammunition.
Our Riot Control Vehicle (TOMA) has proved its superiority in many ways ever since it was produced. In addition, its domestic and international sales-related activities continue. Our Riot vehicle is still being used successfully, especially by the General Directorate of Security, Gendarmerie General Command and various Police Organizations from abroad.
The technical configuration and performance of Riot Control Vehicle can be summarized under 4 main titles as chasis, water/stain/gas streaming system, self-protection system and options.
For Money Transportation Vehicle (Armoured/Unarmoured), in line with the client requests and considering the loading capacity, required chassis and cab modifications could be made on any kind of vehicles such as trucks, vans and pickups. We lastly produced an armoured money transportation vehicle which was integrated on a Mercedes Atego 1526 / 4x4 / 4160 chassis. Ballistic protection specifications shall be according to STANAG 4569, EN 1063, NIJ Standard 0101.03, 0101.04, STANAG 2920, EN 1522 or in accordance with requests of the clients like Ballistic Glass, Armour Steel (coating, bolt-on external coating), Composite Armour and Ceramic Armour. With its applications, protection is ensured against the ammunition such as bullet with kinetic energy, hand grenade, anti-personnel mine and/or general-purpose mines.Armouring/protection specifications are certified in accordance with the client requests.
Defence Turkey: It is already known that EJDER 6x6 Armoured Wheeled Vehicle, an indigenous design of Nurol Makina, has achieved succes in sabroad. Could you please enlighten us about technological competence of EJDER family and your export activities?
EJDER family consists of 6x6 Armoured Personnel Carrier, 6x6 Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle, 6x6 Armoured Combat Vehicle, 6x6 Armoured Fire Support Vehicle, 6x6 Armoured Command Vehicle and 6x6 Armoured Medical Evacuation Vehicle. As I have mentioned in the previous question, EJDER has a design that fulfils 2 important requirements of today’s battlefield. These are; transferring the crew to the battlefield under high level armour protection and providing high level protection for the personnel unit designed against handmade explosives.
Design activities of EJDER started in 2006 and the prototype was produced at the end of 2007. In 2008-2009, 70 units of EJDER were delivered to the Ministry of Interior of a foreign country. Additionally, we have delivered some numbers of Riot Control Vehicles (TOMA) till this year. Only in this year, we delivered 2 units of Riot Control Vehicles (TOMA) to this country.
Defence Turkey: Nurol’s Riot Control Vehicle (TOMA) has proved its superiority in many ways since its production both in and around Turkey. Could you please inform us about the current status of TOMA in terms of export and technology?
We are following some projects of TOMA in different countries. Actually we are already in contract negotiation step with some of them.We are also working on the design and prototype production of a New Generation TOMA what we call EJDER TOMA.
Defence Turkey: Thanks to your technology and knowledge in Special Purpose Vehicles, how do you assess Nurol Makina’s position in Turkish Land Systems Industry? Can Nurol Makina be considered as an expert in Special Purpose Vehicles in the sector?
As mentioned above, NMS has delivered a wide variety of defence products to the forces. There are not many companies in Turkey or in the region as experienced as NMS when it comes to the customized land vehicles. With the combination of the experience of our 145 employees and world class technologies, we offer turnkey, customized and wide range system level solutions to our customers. This makes NMS a key player in assuring the security of citizens and infrastructures for the safer future of the nations.
Defence Turkey: What are your export activities? Could you please inform us about your priority markets?
Our export activities are mainly with Middle East and North Africa countries. We are currently having negotiations about our vehicles like EJDER, TOMA and utility shelters. We also have some system level turnkey projects that we are working on.
Defence Turkey: Could you please brief us about your design and development activities?
Design and Development activities constitute an important part of our business in NMS. In order to support these activities we have 14 highly-experienced engineers. Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) systems are in use and with the support of these systems (CATIA, AutoCAD, CADDS-5, SURFCAM, Solid-Works and Smarteamsoftware), the design of the spare parts, plates, devices, other similar parts and equipment including the manufacture of the prototype are all carried out by our Engineering Department.
Defence Turkey: Finally would you like to add some information for our readers?
As a Nurol Holding Company, NMS is a proven developer, a trusted supplier and international industrial partner in the fields of defence and home-land security. For more than a decade, NMS has delivered superior performance to the Turkish Armed Forces and leading defence companies not only in Turkey but also throughout the world. We are continuously searching new ways to increase our market share and product portfolio. We make sure that your readers will be hearing more about NMS’ successes in her missions to serve Turkish Defence.
