Turkey's Katmerciler to Export 4X4 Armored Vehicles to Gambia

Gambia is set to receive the 4x4 Tactical Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicle Hizir manufactured by the Turkish firm Katmerciler.

The country reportedly signed an agreement with Katmerciler for the purchase of the vehicle in August last year. There has yet to be an official announcement on the issue.

Earlier, in March, the Gambian delegation headed by Gambian Defense Minister Seikh Omar Faye visited Turkey where he was welcomed by Turkey’s National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

Turkish news outlet DefenseTurk reported based on open-source information and images, that Katmerciler, which previously exported to Kenya, Uganda and an undisclosed country, is now selling its Hizir vehicles to Gambia.

Recent images also circulating on social media reveal that camouflaged Hizir vehicles are being delivered to the African country, the report said.

The fully indigenous Hizir is a 400-horsepower vehicle, which provides high protection against mines and handmade explosives. It was produced for conflict conditions with high maneuverability and ballistic fortification. The vehicle was developed to meet NATO standards and has been approved by an independent international testing organization.

Katmerciler in July 2021 signed a contract worth $91.4 million with the Kenyan Defense Ministry to provide the African country with armored vehicle products including the Hizir.