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Marine Assault Vehicle Delivery & Advanced Armored Personnel Carrier Modernization Project Inked

On May 25th, an important event took place at the FNSS Gölbaşı facility, involving the delivery of the Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV/ZAHA) and the signing of the Advanced Armored Personnel Carrier (AAPC-GZPT) Modernization Project. The event was attended by Prof. İsmail DEMİR, President of the Defense Industry Agency (SSB), along with representatives from the Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Industry Agency, the Turkish Armed Forces, distinguished quests and members of the media.

Date: Issue 123 - July 2023 Update: October 13, 2024

The program started with the opening speech of K. Nail KURT, General Manager and CEO of FNSS. Commenting on the programs undertaken by FNSS under the coordination of the Defense Industry Agency over the last 8-9 years, KURT made the following remarks: “The 2250 Armored Combat Vehicles we delivered between 1990 and 2005 are still the backbone of our infantry. Since 2014, we have been actively engaged in various projects for the Armed Forces. We signed the Weapon Carrier Vehicles (STA) project with the Defense Industry Agency in 2016, and with the signing of the second contract, around 340 PARS 4x4 and KAPLAN Tracked vehicles, with OMTAS and KORNET Remote Controlled Turret systems designed by FNSS have entered and continue to enter the national inventory. The deliveries of the KORKUT serial production platform, initiated by Aselsan in 2016, have been substantially completed. Furthermore, today marks the occasion of the delivery ceremony for the Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV/ZAHA) project, which was signed in 2017. Our Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV/ZAHA, considered the most advanced of its kind globally, has successfully met the qualification standards set by the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and the Turkish Naval Forces, and our first batch deliveries have launched. As another example, I would like to emphasize that the PARS 6x6 Special Operations Vehicles, for which we signed a contract with the Defense Industry Agency in 2018 and developed for our Special Forces Command, stand out within their class due to their exceptional features in areas such as mine protection, ballistics, resistance to improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and mission-specific equipment. These vehicles have been delivered and are currently in use. In May 2019, a contract was signed with the Defense Industry Agency for the acquisition of Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Vehicles in both 6x6 and 8x8 configurations. These vehicles will be delivered to the Land Forces and the Gendarmerie General Command, albeit in a limited quantity. The development of these vehicles is still in progress, and they are expected to be delivered due in next year. It is anticipated that these vehicles will boast the highest indigenization level among the vehicles delivered thus far. During the period between 2005 and 2014, there was a noticeable gap; however, this interval witnessed a remarkable export growth rate ranging from 90% to 95%. Within this period, we also successfully undertook the development of two challenging projects: the Rapid Deployable Amphibious Wet Gap Crossing System and AZMIM, through an agreement with the Defense Industry Agency, both of which were successfully delivered. Starting from 2014, a significant focus was placed on developing numerous indigenous and special weapon systems, marking a period of notable advancements in this domain.”

Providing information about the KAPLAN Lightweight Tank Project, KURT said: "We believe that the joint development of this project with Indonesia is a great success for both countries. The project was successfully executed under the leadership of the Defense Industry Agency. We delivered the vehicles to Indonesia with a ceremony last year. It is our greatest desire that this Lightweight Tank will assume duty in our Land Forces Command."