Turkish defense firms to secure Nigeria roads

By Goksel Yildirim

Turkish defense industry companies Asisguard and Nurol Makine have joined forces for an internal security project in Nigeria.

Asisguard will procure some 13 armored vehicle Yoruk 4x4 from military land vehicle manufacturer Nurol Makina to be used in a road safety project it will carry out in the West African country.

Yoruk has a maximum cruise speed of 140 kilometers per hour (87 miles per hour) and can be outfitted with weapon systems such as 7.62 and 12.7 mm machine guns, 40 mm grenade launchers, and air and anti-tank weaponry.

Speaking to Anadolu, Asisguard's general manager Baris Duzgun said the company has signed a $36.5 million project Nigeria's Defense Ministry.

He said the company will ensure security of a highway between the capital Abuja and northwestern Kaduna state, adding: "We will contribute to the security of the region with our stakeholders in Türkiye, with the latest indigenous technology systems and products."

Reconnaissance and surveillance systems, sudden intervention and neutralization systems, command and control systems, and communication and energy infrastructure systems will be provided within the scope of the project, he said.

Drones from Turkish defense firms Havelsan and STM will also be sold to Nigeria, and products of around 10 companies, including Gurbag Defense and MILMAST, will be exported.

Asisguard produces electro-optical vision and border security systems, military vehicle electronics solutions and rotary wing unmanned systems.