The Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence Industries (MDI) has extended the joint production agreement with Paramount Group to produce 60 new mine-protected vehicles.

The extension follows Paramount’s establishment of a joint production facility and the production of an initial 15 Matadors and 15 Marauders vehicles for Azerbaijan.

The 60 new mine-protected vehicles will comprise 30 Marauder and 30 Matador improvised explosive devices (IED) and mine-protected vehicles.

Azerbaijan minister of defence industry Yaver Jamalov said the advanced IED-protected vehicles were highly flexible and met the requirements of Azerbaijani armed forces.

Paramount Group executive chairman Ivor Ichikowitz said the agreement would help explore future joint production partnerships in the development of mine-protected vehicle technology.

Deliveries are expected to run through to late 2012.