INKAS

INKAS was founded in August 1995 in Toronto, Canada, by David Khazanski and Margarita Simkin as a single-truck armored courier service specializing in the secure transportation of cash and valuables. INKAS has established and grown various divisions{{Cite web |title=INKAS Divisions |url=https://inkas.ca/divisions/}} and brands over the years, some of which have gone on be acquired by large players in their industries.{{Cite web |title=3 Sixty Acquires INKAS Security Services Ltd |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/04/02/1795404/0/en/3-Sixty-Secure-Acquires-INKAS-Security-Services-Ltd-Creating-One-of-Canada-s-Largest-Secure-Cannabis-Transport-Companies.html}} The company’s divisions include armored vehicle manufacturing, safes manufacturing, security solutions and services, aerospace and defense, financial solutions, and environmental protection services.

In April 2014, INKAS acquired its new headquarters and manufacturing facility,{{Cite web |title=INKAS New Facility and Armored Vehicle Show Room |url=https://inkas.ca/a-brand-new-upscale-inkas-facility-and-armored-vehicle-showroom-opened-in-north-york}} and in March 2020, the company opened a second manufacturing facility in Toronto.{{Cite web |title=INKAS Announces New Manufacturing Plant in Toronto |url=https://inkas.ca/inkas-announces-new-manufacturing-plant-in-toronto}} The company also has offices, production facilities, and service centers internationally, including in Lagos, Nigeria.{{Cite web |title=INKAS History |url=https://inkas.ca/history}}

In July and August 2017, CBC News reported that INKAS signed a deal with Azerbaijan’s interior ministry under which the company had delivered several Canadian-made armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to Azerbaijan.{{Cite news |last=Sevunts |first=Levon |date=Aug 14, 2017 |title=Armenian-Canadians urge Liberals to stop export of armoured vehicles to Azerbaijan |work=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/armenian-armoured-vehicles-azerbaijan-1.4247078}} This provoked strong condemnation from the Armenian-Canadian population which was concerned that the equipment would be used in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict or the Armenia-Azerbaijan border crisis. The Canadian government responded by promising to meet with the representatives of the Armenian community.{{Cite web |date=2017-07-26 |title=ANCC Calls on the Canadian Government to Immediately Halt Azerbaijani Arms Sales |url=https://anca.org/ancc-calls-on-the-canadian-government-to-immediately-halt-azerbaijani-arms-sales/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=Armenian National Committee of America |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=AGBU Protests The Delivery of Canadian-Made Military Vehicles to Azerbaijan |url=https://montreal.agbuchapters.org/2017/07/29/agbu-protests-the-delivery-of-canadian-made-military-vehicles-to-azerbaijan/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=Montreal Chapter |language=en-US}} Ramil Huseynli — Azerbaijan's Chargé d’Affaires in Ottawa — responded by saying "...the acquisition of armoured personnel carriers from a Canadian company does not pose such a threat [to regional peace and stability], as these vehicles are intended only for law enforcement and civilian transport. In this light, the hysteria of the Armenian community, who should put Canadian interests above the rest, is unintelligible.” According to the 2016 Report on Exports of Military Goods from Canada, Azerbaijan bought $378,705 worth of fire arms and ground vehicles in Canada.{{Cite web |last=International |first=Radio Canada |date=2017-08-14 |title=Canadian-Armenian community up in arms over Canadian defence exports to Azerbaijan |url=https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/08/14/canadian-armenian-community-up-in-arms-over-canadian-defence-exports-to-azerbaijan/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=RCI {{!}} English |language=en-US}}

In October 2023, 100 activists blocked the entrances of INKAS' Toronto offices, with five being arrested.{{Cite web |last=Paling |first=Tim Groves, Emma |date=2023-10-31 |title=Canadian company's Israeli subsidiary sold more deadly weapons than advertised ⋆ The Breach |url=https://breachmedia.ca/inkas-canadian-company-with-links-israeli-army-deadly-weapons/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=The Breach |language=en-CA}}{{Cite web |title=5 arrested during rally at Toronto factory that protesters claim helps arm Israeli military {{!}} CityNews Toronto |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2023/10/30/israel-gaza-protest-toronto-factory-arrests/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=toronto.citynews.ca}} The protestors criticized the company for helping arm the Israeli military. INKAS reports that the company “supplied the government of Israel with more command & control units than any other supplier in history”,{{Cite web |last=Medjool |date=2023-10-30 |title=Immediate release: "Canada Stop Arming Israel": Workers block entrance to Toronto company arming Israeli military - Just Peace Advocates |url=https://www.justpeaceadvocates.ca/immediate-release-canada-stop-arming-israel-workers-block-entrance-to-toronto-company-arming-israeli-military/,%20https://www.justpeaceadvocates.ca/immediate-release-canada-stop-arming-israel-workers-block-entrance-to-toronto-company-arming-israeli-military/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |language=en-US}} and has also sold cyber warfare services and remotely controlled weapon stations. INKAS responded to the protest by stating that the situation caused the business to lose profits and was costly to their reputation.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.inkas.ca/}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Inkas}}

Category:Companies based in Toronto

Category:Defence companies of Canada

Category:Military vehicle manufacturers

Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of Canada