FNSS Savunma Sistemleri's Zaha Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV) has entered its final phase of trials following the successful completion of mine and ballistic tests, İsmail Demir, head of Turkey's Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), announced on his Twitter account on 15 December.
The final phase includes cruising reliability and qualification tests, which are now under way, he said.
The Zaha MAV, which was first unveiled at the International Defence Industry Fair 2019 (IDEF 2019), is being developed by Turkey's FNSS under contract to the SSB to meet the requirements of the Turkish Navy in support of amphibious operations.
It is planned to be deployed from the landing platform dock (LPD) Anadolu , which is expected to be delivered to the Turkish Navy in early 2022.
Under the MAV project, FNSS will deliver a total of 27 vehicles, including 23 armoured personnel carriers, two command-and-control vehicles, and two rescue vehicles. Deliveries of all 27 vehicles are scheduled for 2022.
The Zaha is designed to transport troops from a landing ship to shore in a single lift during amphibious operations and to serve as an armoured personnel carrier after landing.
It is fitted with a remote-controlled turret armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. It features a fully sealed hydrodynamic hull design with a self-righting capability. While afloat it is powered by two water jets that provide a maximum speed of up to 7 kt. On land it has a maximum speed of 70 km/h.
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