22.07.2015.

New off-road vehicles for the Armed Forces

Today, from Priboj company "FAP Corporation" JSC, 11 new off-road vehicles FAP 1118 will head for barracks across Serbia. The handover of vehicles in FAP's factory was attended by Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic, Chief of the Defence Technology Department General Major Bojan Zrnic and Commander of the Second Army Brigade Brigadier General Dragoslav Sladaković with associates. On that occasion, Minister Gasic emphasized that Priboj and FAP were of strategic importance for the Government of Serbia, and that all resources of the Government had been invested in the development of the strategic agreement with the Finnish company SISU.

The handover of the trucks was preceded by a meeting of the factory management with the Defence Minister, when they emphasized the importance of addressing strategic partnership. Representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces pointed out that they had prepared a mid-term plan for replacing the vehicle fleet, which recognized Priboj FAP as a partner.

Gasic said that a contingent of vehicles was entering into service in the Serbian Armed Forces today, but that he was not satisfied that all deadlines had been breached. He expressed hope that in the coming period the dynamics of procurement would be much better. Minister pointed out that there was long- standing cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and the FAP, stressing that the aim of the defence system in the future was for the complete fleet of trucks of the Serbian Armed Forces to be FAP's.

- We want to buy from local companies and the production in domestic companies, and therefore I ask the management of the company to

approach the negotiations with a strategic partner more seriously. One thing is certain; the production of military vehicles in FAP, which has been present for years, remains even after the arrival of a strategic partner – Gasic said and pointed out that the Government had adopted a conclusion according to which the strategic partner had been selected, stressing that these negotiations should be completed as soon as possible. He added that the Government was looking for a predictable partner "with clear deadlines and defined tasks."

- The SAF five-year plan envisages the purchase of a large number of new FAP trucks - Minister said, adding that, in addition to the money that was allocated for the purchase of trucks, the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces could allocate more money for the renewal of the vehicle fleet owing to the savings and reallocation of funds.

Commenting on the possibility that an overhaul block could be formed within the FAP's factory, Minister stressed that the aim of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces was primarily to employ their technical institutes, leaving the possibility for partnership cooperation in this field. He stressed that the desire of the defence system was to do an extension of resources for vehicles that are used in the SAF units, stressing that there would be 150 vehicles per year that would be given prolonged service life at FAP’s factory, after the privatization.

Director of "FAP" Zoran Zakovic pointed out that the factory he managed was facing well- known problems of the privatization, stressing that 747 employees had not received salary for nine months. He stressed that everyone in the company was hoping for a good outcome in the negotiations with a strategic partner.

- The delivery of the trucks was delayed due to numerous difficulties, both within the company and in the cooperation. In addition to financial, we are facing staffing problems. In addition, vendors have a problem delivering on the production of components for such small series such as 10 or 15 units - Zakovic said, conveying his hope that the signing of the contract with the strategic partner would bring a new start of production of transportation means in Priboj. According to him, the Armed Forces would have to wait for the strategic partner when it comes to the new delivery of vehicles. He praised the Armed Forces for having recognized FAP as a partner, and called for other budget users to follow the same example.

Off-road vehicle FAP 1118 BS / AV, 4t , 4x4 from 2010 was adopted in armament and military equipment, and since 2012 the serial production began. So far, a total of 88 vehicles has been produced, and today, the Armed Forces received 11 trucks, while the delivery of five more is planned for the next period. As of today, barracks in Raska, Zajecar, Kursumlija, Kraljevo, Sombor, Jakov and Zuce will have a new FAP 1118, while Novi Pazar and Pozega will get two trucks.

Former business cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces and the company "FAP Corporation" JSC Priboj mainly reflected in the production of off-road vehicles for the equipping of the Serbian Armed Forces, whose vehicle fleet contains more than 1,600 vehicles from FAP's manufacturing program. Age of these funds varies from a few months to 55 years.

Last purchase of off-road vehicles FAP 2026 was in 1995, when 48 vehicles were purchased, while the procurement of off-road FAP 1118 vehicles began four years ago, when the Armed Forces were delivered 32 pieces of zero series. In addition to today's delivery, the procurement plan for this year envisages that the FAP's factory delivers another 10 FAP 1118 vehicles to the Armed Forces, while, according to current plans, five pieces of zero series of FAP 2228 BS / AV, 7t , 6x6 vehicles would be used in the Armed Forces next year.