OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2014. PJSC “AutoKrAZ” participates in several tenders announced by defense departments of the Republic of Iraq. T

The tenders are aimed at delivery of dual-use vehicles: for fight against terrorism in this country and economic recovery after long civil war. Our competitors are big automakers, but KrAZ has good chances to win given good reputation of KrAZ trucks in this country and positive experience in delivery of large batch of vehicles in the period 2004-2006.

It will be recalled that in 2004 “AutoKrAZ” won in the toughest competition with West-European companies the contract for delivery of large lot of vehicles awarded through tender announced by the United States as part of Postwar Revival Program. Within 2004-2006 over 2200 workshop trucks, refuellers, KrAZ-6322 (6х6) platform trucks and kitchen trailers were delivered to Iraq. As part of technical assistance, KrAZ sent to Iraq its technicians, necessary tools and equipment, USD 5m worth of spare parts. That was the third order of such magnitude (over USD 110m) in the history of military technical cooperation between Ukraine and foreign countries and the biggest one in the history of the Kremenchug Automobile Plant.

Confidence in KrAZ winning is fuelled by special attention from Iraqi MOD officials at the International Security and Defence Exhibition held in March of this year in Iraq. Acting Minister of Defence Mr.Saadun Duleimi said that with Ukrainian vehicles terrorism in Iraq would be defeated. Captain Abd Ar-Soulif Moyad, chief of infantry battalion in Bagdad, emphasized important role of KrAZ trucks in fight against terrorism.

In recent personal communication with the company’s representatives, he said that if earlier KrAZ trucks were operated in Iraqi provinces later they were deployed to Bagdad where no heavy-duty vehicles were allowed. The reason for such a move is aggravation of situation in Iraq due to stiff offensive by Sunni group Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, capture of Naynava province and announced by Islamists intention to capture Bagdad. “Deployment of heavy KrAZ trucks in Iraqi capital is fully justified, stressed the officer, that will  help contain extremists who came close to Iraqi capital."