FNSS has signed a contract with the Turkish Presidency of the Defence Industries (SSB) for Pars III series vehicles in 6×6 and 8×8 configurations to equip the Turkish Land Forces, marking their first wheeled AFV purchase.
The contract covers the development and production of 100 vehicles, including 5 for the Turkish Gendarmerie, and is due to start in August. The requirement was issued by the Turkish Land Forces in light of operational experience gained on counter-insurgency missions in southeastern Turkey, as well as operations in Syria.
A one-year design phase will follow, which will lead into a one-year qualification and testing phase with initial production. The programme will enter a one-year production phase, with the entire programme expected to be completed in 36 months.
The procurement is designed to provide the Turkish Land Forces with a brand new reconnaissance capability by 2022 and is part of a larger requirement for at least 400 vehicles.
The Pars C2 concept vehicle as shown at IDEF 2019. The Pars order by the Turkish Land Forces marks the first time they have opted to procure wheeled AFVs. (IHS Markit/Sam Cranny-Evans )
The initial contract covers four variants for the Turkish Land Forces: 45 vehicles will be based on the Pars 6×6 design and will include 30 command-and-control (C2) vehicles as well as 15 radar reconnaissance vehicles; the remaining 50 vehicles will be based on the Pars 8×8 and will be divided between 45 vehicles equipped with an electro-optic sensor suite and 5 chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence (CBRN) vehicles.
A key requirement of the programme is the localisation of the systems used.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
