By Goksel Yildirim

DOHA

One of the leading Turkish automotive companies will deliver a total of 85 armored vehicles to Qatar, the company’s chairman said on Tuesday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ethem Sancak, the head of BMC, said the company will produce 50 BMC Kirpi [Hedgehog] Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and 35 BMC Amazon 4x4 multi-purpose armored vehicles for Qatar, without giving any further details about the timeframe.

He said the production will come into existence within the scope of Tuesday's export deal signed by BMC and Barzan Holding on the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2018) in the Qatari capital Doha.

"Export is important for Turkey. Previously, we sold our vehicles to Turkmenistani and Tunisian armies," Sancak said.

He added that more demands are coming from several armies in the world.

"What we have planned for 2019 is to nearly export 40 percent of the production," Sancak said.

According to the BMC website, the company has been manufacturing various kinds of vehicles for customers in domestic and international markets.

Having produced 300,000 vehicles since 1966, the BMC contributed $10 billion to Turkish economy. The company exports to more than 80 countries, including EU member states.